PR 

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P2  F6 


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'J.'-.'^  Tolii?c,  qL^ 


PR 

EDITORIAL     INTRODUCTION. 

This  ingenious  version  of  a  lively  French  vaudeville  comedy, 
was  first  produced  the  fifth  of  October,  1842,  at  Drury  Lane. 
It  is  from  the  pen  of  Planche,  and  has  all  that  exquisite  neatness 
of  construction,  which  distinguishes  his  many  successful  pieces 
for  the  stage.  The  materials  of  the  plot  are  slight,  but  they  are 
so  nicely  adjusted,  and  the  incidents,  though  by  no  means  novel, 
are  so  happily  combined,  that  the  comedy  is  a  succession  of 
amusing  surprises  and  clever  hits. 

The  scene  is  in  France,  in  the  youth  of  Orleans  when  Duke 
de  Chartres  :  and  the  "  Follies  of  a  Night"  are  those  of  the  Du- 
chess, who  takes  advantage  of  her  husband's  absence  with  the 
army  to  venture  to  a  masquerade  ball,  and  those  of  the  Duhe, 
who  avails  himself  of  his  supposed  absence  to  retuni  secretly  to 
Paris  for  a  little  amusement  of  his  own.  Between  the  manoeu- 
vres of  the  two,  Pierre  Palliot,  who  has  come  to  the  metropolis 
in  search  of  fortune  and  his  uncle  Druggendraft,  the  ducal  phy- 
sician, is  bandied  about  till  he  finds  all  that  he  sought,  and  even 
more,  in  the  person  of  a  suitable  bride. 

The  comedy  was  thoroughly  successful  in  the  representation. 
Charles  Mathews,  as  the  adventurer,  threw  a  tinge  of  rusticity 
into  his  gallantry  and  address,  and  was  a  most  mercurial  young 
spark  ;  and  Madame  Vestris  played  the  coquette  with  her  wont- 
ed elegance  and  ease.  Mr.  Hudson  as  the  Duke,  appeared  to 
better  advantage  than  he  had  ever  done,  his  vivacity  not  being 
too  boisterous ;  and  he  sang  a  song  of  rakish  sentiment  with  pi- 
quancy and  effect.  Compton,  as  Dr.  Druggendraft,  was  droll 
without  buffoonery.  There  was  a  quiet  avoidance  of  grimace 
and  exaggeration  iu  his  manner,  and  he  won  hearty  applause 
without  cither.     The  effect  of  the  little  songs,  unintroduced  by 


/ 


IV  EDITORIAL    INTRODUCTION. 

syinpbonv,  as  if  they  were  biit  vocal  terminations  to  the  dialogue, 
was  very  pleasant.  "Every  one  of  the  performers,"  says  the 
Examiner,  "  acted  well,  and  sang  well,  and  the  running  accom- 
paniment of  laughter  from  the  aedience  never  failed.  The  most 
morose  must  have  yielded  to  the  infection  ;  and  we  were  not 
surprised  next  day  to  see  grave  critics  resenting  the  weakness  of 
giving  was  to  a  piece  that,  with  nothing  wonderful  in  the  way 
of  character,  and  no  astonishing  harvest  of  wit,  had  made  so  ma- 
ny people  happy  for  half  an  evening.  It  is  a  charming  addition 
to  Mr.  Planche's  many  accomplishments  of  that  kind." 

This  comedy  was  one  of  the  favourite  afterpieces  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Charles  Kean,  during  their  recent  theatrical  tour  through 
the  United  States.  It  is  also  frequently  performed  at  Mitchell's 
Olympic  Theatre  with  that  spirit  and  good  taste,  which  the  ma- 
nagement habitually  displays  in  its  production  of  vaudevilles  of 
this  class.  We  would  like  it  better  if  the  songs  were  all  pre- 
served in  the  representation  ;  but  it  is  not  often  that  we  have  a 
comic  hero  and  heroine,  who  can  please  by  their  singing  as  well 
as  by  their  acting. 


CAST  OF  CHARACTERS. 

Dniry  Lane,  1842.  Park,  1845.  Olympic,  1845. 

Duke  De  Ohartres*    Mr.  Hudson.  Mr.  C.  Kean.  Mr.  Fenno.Chaufrau 

Count  de  Brissac ...     "     Roberts.  "    S.Pearson.  "     Clark. 

Dr.  Dmggendraft..     "    Compton.  "    Bass.  "    NickinsoB. 

Pierre  Palliot "    Chas.  Matbews.  "    Fi.sher.  "    Walcot. 

OJlcer "    Yarnold.  «    Buloid,  "    Levere. 

Servant "    Carle.  "    Heath.  «    Bleecker. 

Duchess  de   Chartres  Madame  Vestris.  Mrs.  C.  Kean.  Miss  Clarke. 

MadtmoiseUe  Duval.  Miss  Turpin.  "    Abbott.  Miss  Roberts. 

*  Grand  Nephew  of  Louis  the  14th,  and  afterwards  the  celebrated  Rcg-ent  Duke 
of  Orleans.  Uuriiig  the  life-time  of  his  father,  he  was  called  the  Duke  de  Chartres. 
His  Duchess  was  Francoise  Marie  de  Bourbon,  natural  daughter  of  Ltouis  14th. 
They  were  married,  Feb.  18th,  1692. 


COSTUMES; 

PHILIP,  DUKE  DK  CHARTRES.— Purple  velvet  coat  embroidered  in  gold, 
wide  cutis,  white  satin  breeches,  three-cornered  hat,  full  powdered  wig. 

COUNT  DE  BRISSAC— Light  blue  coat,  with  gold  trimmings,  blue  breeches 
three-cornered  hat,  powdered  wig. 

DR.  DRUGGENDRAFT.— Square  cut  coat  of  black  velvet,  black  velvet  breeches, 
black  silk  stockings,  three-cornered  hat,  curled  and  powdered  wig. 

PIERRE  PALLIOT.— Stouc-coloured  coat,  trimmed  with  black  velvet,  full  trunks 
of  the  same. 

OFFICER.— Military  suit,  high  jack  boots. 

SERVANT. — Livery  of  white  merino,  faced  with  red. 

DUCHESS. — Rich  brocaile  dress,  open  in  front,  and  looped  up  with  flowers,  white 
satin  underskirt,  with  two  deep  lace  flounces,  powdered  hair,  ornamented  with 
feathers  and  flowers. 

MA'LLE  DUVAL. — Orange  coloured  silk  dress,  open  in  front,  plain  white  silk  un- 
derskirt, powdered  hair. 

3IASQUERADERS.— Diflferent  coloured  dominoes. 


EXITS  AND  ENTRANCES. 

R.  means  Right;    L.  Left;    R.  D.  Right  Door;    L.  D.  Left  Door ; 
S.  E.  Second  Entrance;  U.  E.  Upper  Entrance;  M.  D.  Middle  Door. 

RELATIVE  POSITIONS. 

R.,  meKRS  Right;  L.,  Left ;   C,  Centre  ;    B..  C,  Right  of  Centre; 
L.  C,  Left  of  Centre. 

N.B.  Passages  marked  with  Inverted  Commas,  are  usually  omitted  in  the 
representation. 


THE  FOLLIES  OF  A  NIGHT. 


ACT     I. 

Scene  I. — Foyer,  or  Saloon  of  the  Opera  House,  in  the 
Palais  Royal  at  Paris,  A.  D.  1693. — I/i  the  c,  a  Pedes- 
tal, upon  which  is  a  Clock — immediately  U7ider  it,  a  Seat. 
A  Balustrade  at  the  back,  divides  the  Foyer  from  a  Lob- 
by, supposed  to  lead  into  the  body  of  the  Theatre.  Arches 
at  each  side  farm  entrances  into  the  Foyer.  As  the  Cur- 
tain rises,  I\Iusic  heard  as  from  the  Ball.  Masquers  are 
seen  passing  to  and  fro,  and  lounging  over  the  Balustrade. 

CHORUS.— ('•  Danse  des  Folies,  Gustave") 

Merrily  !  merrily  !  merrily  !  merrily ! 

Hasten  to  the  Masquerade, 
Men-ily  !  merrily  !  metrily  !  merrily  .' 
Be  the  call  of  mirth  obeyed. 
Come  where  Beauty 
Claims  your  duty — 
Love,  in  whispers  soi't  conveyed, 
Makes  the  tender 
Heart  surrender 
Quickly,  at  the  Masquerade. 
Merrily !  merrily  !  merrily  !  &c. 

[Masquers  gradually  disperse. 
Enter  Pierre  Palliot,  r.  u.  e. 

pie.  [Advancing  and  looking  around.]  Wonders  will  ne- 
ver cease  !  I  am  here,  actually  here — and  twelve  months 
ago  who  would  have  deemed  it  probable,  nay,  possible? 
But  it's  quite  true,  unless  I  am  in  a  dream.  Here  do  I 
stand,  Pierre  Palliot,  aged  twenty-two,  native  of  Beauvais, 
son  of  Michael  Palliot,  blacksmith  and  farrier,  here  do  I 
positively  stand  in  the  Saloon  of  the  Opera  House,  in  the 
Palais  Royal  at  Paris,  with  ao  assignation  io  my  hand 


8  THE    FOLLIES    OF    A    NIGHT. 


[Act  1. 


from  a  lovely  woman  of  quality ;  for  I  have  no  doubt 
whatever  that  these  lines  have  been  written  by  some  lady 
of  high  rank  and  exceeding  beauty,  who  has  been  struck 
with  my  personal  appearance,  and  has  discovered  where 
I  live.  Look  at  the  paper — soft  as  satin — smell  it — like  a 
garden  of  roses — and  then  the  style — so  mysterious  and 
commanding — "  Be  at  the  Masquerade  to-night,  at  twelve 
precisely,  in  the  Saloon,  and  immediately  under  the  clovhy 
The  thing  speaks  for  itself.  How  fortunate  that  I  had 
money  enough  to  buy  a  ticket.  Another  week,  and  my 
purse  would  have  been  empty!  There's  the  clock;  it 
only  wants  five  minutes  to  the  time ! 

AIR. — Pierre. — ("  Mon  rocher  de  St.  Malo.") 

My  first  grand  step  in  life  'twill  be, 

Of  girls  I've  wooed  a  score ; 
But  to  a  dame  of  quality, 

I  never  spoke  before  ! 
As  the  hour  draws  near, 

I  scarce  can  draw  my  breath ; 
My  tirst  step  in  life,  I  fear, 

Will  really  be — my  death. 

At  Beauvais,  they  used  to  say, 
I  had  such  a  winning  way, 
And  I  own  I  found  the  fair 
Very  tender-hearted  there ; 
But  in  such  things,  Paris  may 
DiS'er  widely  from  Beauvais! 
As  the  hour  draws  near, 
I  scarce  can  draw  my  breath,  &c 

Enter  Dr.  Druggendraft,  r.  u.  e. 

Dr.  D.  [Readijig  a  note.]  "  Be  at  the  Masquerade  to- 
night, at  twelve  precisely/,  in  the  Saloon,  and  irnmediateh/  un- 
der the  clock."  Who  could  have  sent  me  this  note  ]  I  burn 
with  impatience  to  behold  the  writer !  Some  lady  of  the 
Court,  fascinated  by  my  manners,  and  dazzled  by  my  repu- 
tation. [Reads  the  address.]  "  To  Dr.  Druggendraft,  Phy- 
sician in  ordinary  to  their  Royal  Highnesses  the  Duke  and 
Duchess  de  Chartres."  Let  me  see  !  let  me  see  !  My  old 
countrywoman,  the  Countess  of  Klatterhausen,  who  came 
from  Bavaria  with  the  Duchess  of  Orleans  !  Venus  furbid! 
Ma'lle  Duval,  the  new  and  lovely  lady  in  waiting  on  the 
Duchess  de  Chartres  ;  if  it  should! — but  no — I  can  scarcely 
venture  to  hope  so — and  yet,  a  poor  dependant  on  the 


Scene  I.]  THE   FOLLIES    OF    A    NIGHT.  9 

Duchess's  bounty,  she  may  have  been  flattered  by  the  at- 
tentions of  a  man  of  my  talent  and  influence. 

Pic.  [Aside,  lookiyig  at  his  ?wte.]  I  am  sure  it  will  turn 
out  to  be  from  the  lady  who  let  her  handkerchief  fall  from 
her  coach,  the  day  before  yesterday. 

Doc.  [^side.]  It  must  be  from  Ma'lle  Duval. 

Pie.  [Aside.]  It's  just  twelve.  She'll  be  here  in  an  in- 
stant, whoever  she  is  !  There's  a  seat  under  the  clock — 
I'll  take  possession  of  it. 

Dr.  D.  [Aside.]  There's  a  seat  under  the  clock — I'll  se- 
cure it.  [As  he  turns  towards  it,  Pierre  seats  himself.]  Con- 
found it !  there's  a  fellow  just  popped  himself  into  it.  [To 
Pierre.]  I  beg  your  pardon,  sir ;  but  would  you  allow  me 
to  sit  there  % 

Pic.  With  the  greatest  pleasure,  sir,  after  me. 

Dr.  D.  Excuse  me,  sir,  but  I  mean  now. 

Pie.  Excuse  me,  sir,  I  cannot  move  at  present. 

Dr.  D.  But,  sir,  I  am  sure,  when  I  tell  you  that  I  have 
a  particular  reason — 

Pie.  And,  sir,  when  /  tell  you  that  I  have  particular 
reason — 

Dr.  D.  But,  my  dear  sir,  I  assure  you  that  I  have  an 
appointment  of  the  utmost  confidence. 

Pie.  But,  my  dear  sir,  so  have  I. 

Dr.  D.  What !  under  this  clock,  sir  ? 

Pie.  Immediately  under  this  clock,  sir — at  twelve  pre- 
cisely. 

Dr.  D.  [Aside.]  The  devil !  "  At  twelve  precisely" — 
*'  Immediately  under  the  clock."  The  very  words  in  my 
note  !  Can  it  be  a  woman  in  male  attire  ?  [Aloud.]  Will 
you  allow  me  to  inquire — did  you  expect  to  see  me  here  1 

Pie.  Hav'n't  the  slightest  notion  who  you  are,  sir. 

Dr.  D.  Sir,  you  have  quoted  words  which  are  contained 
in  this  note,  and  I  must  therefore  insist — 

Pic.  In  that  note — they  are  in  this  note ! 

[Cotnes  Jhrward,  l. 

Both.  [Reading  their  notes  at  the  same  time.]  "  Be  at  the 
Masquerade  to-night,  at  twelve  precisely,  in  the  Saloon,  and 
immediately  under  the  clocks* 

Dr.  D.  Ha  ! 

Pie.  Eh  1 

Dr.  I>.  Word  for  word  ! 


10  THE    FOLLIES    OF    A   NIGHT. 


[Acr  I. 


Pie.  Letter  for  letter  ! 

Dr.  D.  Sir !  there  must  be  some  mistake.  You  will 
perceive,  this  letter  is  plainly  addressed  to  me. 

pie.  And  this  to  me.  [The]/  exchange  notes. 

Dr.  D.  \ Reading.]  "Monsieur  Pierre  Palliot,  No.  1,  Rue 
de  UEchelh:' 

Pie.  *'  To  Dr.Druggendraft,  Physician  in  ordinary  to  their 
Royal  Highnesses  the" — Good  gracious  !  You  Dr.  Drug- 
gendraft !  Why,  then,  you're  my  uncle  !  Oh,  my  dear 
uncle  !  [Goi7ig  to  embrace  him. 

Dr.  D.  Gently,  gently,  if  you  please.     Do  you  mean  to 

say — 

Pie.  I  mean  to  say  that  I  am  Pierre  Palliot,  son  of  Mi- 
chel Palliot,  blacksmith  and  farrier,  of  Beauvais,  who  mai'- 
ried  your  sister,  wIkj  is  my  mother,  and  from  whom  I  have 
a  letter,  which  I  have  never  been  able  to  give  you,  because 
you  were  never  at  home,  though  Pve  called  ten  times,  at 
least. 

Dr.  D.  \  Aside.]  Deuce  take  him!  How  provoking! 
\Aloud.]  Well,  well,  young  man,  admit  that  you  are  the 
person  you  represent  yourself,  that  does  not  clear  up  the 
mystery  of  these  notes — this  ridiculous  rencontre. 

Pie.  Yes,  yes,  I  think  it  will — 1  have  a  clue  to  it  now. 
It's  Coquillard. 

Dr.  D.  Coquillard  !      Who's  Coquillard  1 

Pie.  Jean  Coquillard,  a  schoolfellow  of  mine,  the  only 
creature  I  know  in  Paris  ;  I  met  him  yesterday,  as  I  was 
coming  back  from  one  of  my  fruitless  calls  on  you,  and 
told  him  that  I  despaired  altogether  of  finding  you.  Upon 
which  he  laughed,  and  said,  that  in  less  than  two  days  he 
would  bring  us  face  to  face  !  And  he  has  done  so  !  Ha! 
ha !  ha !      The  cunning  rogue  !     Ha !  ha  !  ha  ! 

Dr.  D.  \Aside.\  The  impertinent  rascal!  Master  Pal- 
liot, I  consider  that  your  friend  has  taken  a  most  unwar- 
rantable liberty  with  my  name,  and  I  request  you  will  tell 
him  so.     I  wish  you  good  evening.  [Going. 

Pie.  Why,  you're  not  going  off  so,  without  my  mother's 
letter — I've  got  it  in  my  pocket — I've  always  carried  it 
about  with  me,  in  case  I  should  meet  you  by  accident. 
There  it  is.  [Producing  letter,  and  giving  it  to  Dr.  D.\  Read 
it :  you'll  find  I  am  recommended  especially  to  your  pro- 
tection. 


ScEWE  I.]  THE   FOLLIES   OF   A   NIGHT.  15 

gait !  I'd  venture  a  wager,  it's  my  old  German  physician, 
Doctor  Druggendraft.  Oh,  it  is,  there  can  be  no  doubt; 
and  with  a  girl  on  each  arm,  too.  The  old  monopolist ! 
yrhe  Doctor  keeps  turning  round  with  the  ladies  as  the  Duke 
tries  to  examine  them.]  How  he  twists  about,  like  a  trussed 
fowl  on  the  spit.  He  is  evidently  afraid  of  losing  either 
his  liver  or  his  gizzard  !  That  pink  domino  under  his  right 
wing  has  a  mighty  pretty  air  about  her.  If  I  could  only 
find  my  aid-de-camp,  we'd  relieve  him  of  both  his  charges 
in  ten  minutes.     Ah,  there's  Brissac.  [Exit,  r. 

Dr.  D.  Phew  !  Thank  goodness,  he's  gone  at  last.  I 
began  to  tremble. 

Duch.   To  own  the  truth,  so  did  I. 

MaUe  D.   I  was  so  frightened  I  could  scarcely  breathe. 

Duch.  I  really  think  that  man  knew  one  of  us,  or  had 
some  suspicion. 

Dr.  D.  Don't  say  so,  madam,  or  I  shall  sinki 

Ma' lie  D.  Oh,  mercy  !  Here  he  comes  again  with  ano- 
ther. 

Dr.  D.  I  feel  something  terrible  will  happen. 

Re-enter  Duke,  witli  Brissac,  k. 

Duke.  [  To  Brissac.]  Yes  !  they  are  still  here. 

Malle  D.  I  beseech  you,  madam,  let  us  retire. 

Duch.  No,  no,  let  us  lose  them  in  the  crowd — 'tis  the 
best  plan. 

Dr.  D.  This  way,  then,  quick,  quick. 

[Exeunt  Doctor,  Duchess,  and  Ma'lle  Duval,  l.  u.  e. 

Duke.  Hippocrates  has  taken  the  alarm  !  Follow  him, 
Brissac.  He  doesn't  know  you,  and  when  you  get  into 
the  thick  of  the  crowd,  make  a  dash,  and  separate  him  from 
the  pink  domino.  I'll  watch  you  from  hence.  Run,  run, 
or  you'll  lose  them  ! 

[As  Brissac  runs  out,  Pierre  enters,  r.  u.  e.,  and  runs 
against  him.— Pierre's  hot  is  knocked  out  of  his  hand. 

Pie.  Stand  out  of  my  way,  do.  Stop  !  Pick  up  that 
hat,  sir,  as  you  knocked  it  out  of  my  hand.  Do  you  hear] 
Come  back,  sir  !  He  Avon't  hear,  and  he  don't  come  back. 
So  much  the  better  !  I'm  insulted  !  The  very  thing  I 
wanted.  He  shall  give  me  satisfaction.  If  I  can  find  him 
again —      [As  he  is  going  toward  his  hat  to  pick  it  up,  the 


16  THE   FOLLIES   OF    A   NIGHT.  [Act  I. 

Duke,   who  is  watrMng  Brissac,  kicks  it  out  of  his  way.l 
Hollo,  sir!      Do  you  know  what  you  are  doing] 

Duke.  Go  to  the  devil !  [^se'Je.J  There  they  are  !  1  see 
them  ! 

Pie.  Go  to  the  devil !     Sir,  I  must  insist — 

Duke.   What's  the  matter  with  you  1 

Pie.  Sir,  do  you  know  you  kicked  my  hat  1 

Duke.  Sir,  if  you  pester  me,  I  shall  kick  you ! 

Pie.  Kick  me  !  Sir,  you  shall  fight  me  !  You  have 
insulted  me,  and  I  demand  satisfaction!  [^*iJe.]  I've  got 
this  fellow,  and  I'll  stick  to  him. 

Duke.   [Aside.]   How  shall  I  get  rid  of  this  fool  1 

Pie.  There's  my  address,  sir.     No.  7,  Rue  de  L'Echelle. 

Duke.  Very  well — you  shall  hear  from  me.  [^.yjJe.]  He 
shall  have  a  month  in  the  Bastile  ! 

Pie.  I  shall  expect  it,  sir.  You.  will  favour  me  with 
your  name  and  address,  sir. 

Duke.  [Looking  out,  and  aside.]  Bravo,  Brissac.  He's 
got  the  pink  domino  away.  She  breaks  from  him,  though, 
and  there  she  runs — 

Pie.  And  to-mon'ow  morning,  sir,  I  shall  teach  you  a 
lesson. 

Duke.  [Aside.]  She's  mine  !  she's  mine  ! 

[R?ins  out,  L.  u.  E. 

Pie.  [Not  perceiving  his  exit.]  You  will  find  that  I  am 
not  a  man  to  be  insulted  with  impunity.  Your  name,  if 
you  please,  sir.  [  Turning.]  Gone  !  Without  giving  his 
name  !  Well — it  doesn't  signify — he's  got  mine,  and  if  he 
isn't  a  rank  cowaid,  I  shall  hear  from  him  in  the  morning. 
Yes,  yes,  I  think  I  am  sure  of  my  duel !  And  now  for  a 
mistress.  If  a  pretty  woman  would  but  throw  herself  in 
my  way — 

Enter  the  Duchess,  hastily,  h.  u.  e. 

Duch.  Save  me  !  save  me  ! 

[Is  fainting — Pierre  catches  her. 

Pie.  Here's  one  at  a  wish — Madam,  with  the  greatest 
pleasure — I — eh — why,  she  has  fainted.  Poor  soul,  she 
really  has  fainted.  Here's  an  adventure— somebody's  pur- 
suing her — she  begged  me  to  save  her  ;  I  7ViU  save  her! 
I'll  be  her  guardian  angel,  and  waft  her — Gad's  life  !  it's 
as  much  as  I  can,  though  !        [Exit,  carrying  Duchess,  r. 


Scene  II. J  THE    FOLLIES   OF    A    NIGHT.  17 


Scene  II. — The  Street. — Night. 

Enter  the  Duke,  running — he  stops  short,  and  looks  07i  all 
sides. 
Duke.  No  trace  of  her,  by  all  that's  provoking !  Brissac 
swore  she  made  for  the  street.  Confound  that  fool  of  a 
Scaramouch  who  knocked  my  hat  over  my  eyes ;  in  that 
instant  I  lost  sight  of  her  ! 

Enter  Brissac,  hastily. 

Brissac  !  you  must  have  made  a  mistake — she  is  not  this 
way — let  us  return,  and — 

Bri.  Not  if  you  would  remain  unknown,  sir.  The  police 
are  after  us — I  have  had  a  sharp  run  for  it. 

Duke.  The  police — what  for  1 

Bri.  Nay,  1  know  not.  The  girl  in  blue  made  some 
complaint  to  the  Commissary. 

Duke.  Fiddle  faddle— complaint — that  we  didn't  run 
after  her,  I  suppose  1 

Bri.  No  ;  the  offence,  I  think,  seemed  to  be  our  pursuit 
of  the  pink  one.     The  old  Doctor  was  half  crazy. 

Duke.  Ha  !  ha !  He  little  guessed  who  were  his  tor- 
mentors. But  as  to  the  lady,  she  should  not  have  taken 
flight  if  she  didn't  wish  us  to  follow  her. 

AIR. — Duke. — {Old  French  Air,  adapted  by  Mr.  T.  Cooke.) 

Witli  woraea,  as  with  other  game,  the  pleasure's  in  the  chase, 
Once  caught,  the  interest  ceases — yet  to  blame  us,  they've  the  face ! 
If  they  would  not  be  hunted,  why  so  chary  of  their  channs? 
Can't  they  fling  themselves  at  once  into  the  nearest  lover's  arms  ? 
'Tis  wicked,  it's  immoral,  to  run  after  them,  they  say. 
When  tis  very  clear  we  couldn't  if  they  didn't  rim  away. 

[Exeunt,  r. 

Scene  III. — Pierre's  Lodging  in  the  Rue  de  L'Echelle. — 
A  poorly  furnished  Apartment — a  Windoio  at  (he  hack, 
through  v^liicli  the  Moon  is  streaming  in — on  R.,  the 
door  of  his  Bedchamher — on  L.,  facing  it,  the  door  open- 
ing on  Staircase — the  door  of  a  Cupboard  or  Closet,  L. 
u.  E. — A  Table  and  two  Chairs. 

Enter  Pierre,  l.,  carrying  the  Duchess,  who  is  still  insen- 
sible. 

Vie.  [Placing  her  in  a  chair,  c]  Phew !— I've  managed 


18  THE    FOLLIES    OK    A    NIGHT.  [Act  1. 

it ! — I  didn't  mind  the  level  ground  ;  but  six  pair  of  stairs 
breathed  me  !  1  began  to  think  I  should  never  get  up  the 
last  flight.  Here  we  are,  however,  and  the  lady  still  in- 
sensible !  Mercy  upon  us — if  she  should  be  dead  ! — I  may 
be  hanged  for  mui'der !  I've  a  great  mind  to  carry  her 
down  again  into  the  street  !  [The  Duchess  moves  and  uU 
ters  a  sigh.]  Ah  !  she's  not  dead,  at  all  events  !  I'll  get  a 
light  and  a  glass  of  water !         \Runs  into  Bedchaiiiber,  r. 

Duch.  [Reviving.]  All  dark  ! — where  am  1 1 — what  has 
happened  1 — Ma'lle  Duval — Doctor — am  I  dreaming  1 — 
what  place  is  this  ? — ah,  I  remember  !  an  uproar,  a  confu- 
sion— I  was  pursued  by  some  one — Gracious  powers,  whi- 
ther have  they  transported  me  1     Help  !  help  ! 

Pierre.  [  Within.]  Coming !  coming,  madam,  directly  ! 

Duch.  A  stranger's  voice  !     Where  shall  I  fly  ] 

Feeling  about  the  room. 

Rc'Cnter  Pierre,  toith  a  lighted  candle,  and  a  glass  of  ua- 
ter,  R. 

JPie.  Here — here's  a  glass  of  water,  madam.  I'm  sorry 
I've  nothing  better  to  ofter  you,  but — [She  turns,  he  starts.] 
Oh  !  what  a  beautiful  creature  ! 

Duch.  [Aside?^  This  is  not  the  man  who  pursued  me ! 
[Aloud.]  Where  am  I,  sir — speak,  I  implore  you  1 

Pie.  In  the  Rue  de  L'Echelle,  madam — No.  7 — on  the 
sixth  story — a  long  way  up  ;  but  now  you're  here,  do  take 
a  sip  of  water,  you'll  find  it  refresh  you ;  and  pray  sit 
down,  you're  quite  safe  here,  I  assure  you — and  after  so 
long  a  faint — [Aside.]  What  eyes  she  has  got ! 

Duch.  Who  are  you,  sir — and  how  came  1  hither  ] 

Pie.  My  name  is  Pierre  Palliot,  madam,  of  Beauvais, 
and  I  had  the  pleasure  of  carrying  you  here  from  the 
Opera  House — I  can't  exactly  say  at  your  request — but 
you  begged  me  to  save  you  from  somebody  or  something, 
and  I  did  it  as  well  as  I  could,  at  so  short  a  notice. 

Duch.  I  do  recollect  appealing  to  some  one. 

Pie.  I  was  that  favoured  individual,  madam.  Too  hap- 
py to  afford  any  assistance  to  a  lady  of  your  rank  and  beau- 
ty— 

Duch.  Rank  ! — do  you  know  me  1 

Pie.  I  have  not  that  honour,  madam ;  but  I  am  con- 
Tinced,  from  your  appearance,  that  you  are  a  person  of 


Scene  f I. J  '^HE    FOLLIES    OF    A    NIGHT,  19 

distinction.  It  needs  not  the  splendour  of  that  ornament 
\Pointing  to  a  Locket,  surrounded  hy  brilliants,  which  Jiangs 
from  the  Duchess'  neck,]  to  assure  me  that  its  wearer  is  one 
of  the  most  exalted  of  her  sex.  [vl.s/(7e.]  They  all  like  to 
be  thought  so — and  in  her  present  position,  up  six  paii  of 
stairs,  why — 

Djich.  \Aside?[  He  is  not  an  accomplice ;  and  seems 
obliging  and  respectful.  [^ZomJ.J  You  said  you  were  of 
Beauvais,  1  think. 

Pie.  Yes,  madam. 

Duch.  And  perhaps,  then,  a  stranger  in  Paris  % 

Pie.  I  know  but  two  persons  in  it :  Jean  Coquillard, 
an  old  schoolfellow,  and  my  uncle.  Dr.  Druggendraft. 

Duch.  Dr.  Druggendraft  your  uncle  % 

Pie.  Do  you  know  him,  madam  ] 

Duch.  I — no — I  have  heard  of  him.  [Aside.]  How  sin- 
gular. 

Pie.  The  less  you  know  of  him  the  better,  I  can  tell 
you — he's  a  good-for-nothing  old  fellow.  Would  you  be- 
lieve it,  madam,  I  am  the  only  son  of  his  sister,  and  he 
has  forbidden  me  his  doors,  because  my  father  is  not  so 
well  off  in  the  world  as  he  is !  Oh,  let  me  only  make  my 
fortune,  as  I  know  I  shall  do  one  of  these  days — 

Duch.  [Aside.]  His  simplicity  assures  me  that  I  have 
nothing  to  fear.  [Aloud.]  My  gratitude  is  due  to  you  for 
the  service  you  have  already  rendered  me  ;  may  I  request 
you  to  add  to  the  obligation  by — 

Pie.  [Inte7-rupting  her.]  Oh,  madam,  you  have  but  to 
speak,  and — 

Duch.  By  calling  me  a  coach. 

Pie.  (l.)  a  coach  !   [Aside.]  Oh,  hang  it !  she  wants  to 

go. 

Duch.  Do,  pray  get  me  a  coach  directly. 

Pie.  I  question  if  at  this  hour  I  should  find  one. 

Duch.  Oh,  yes,  yes !  I  am  told  all  night  long  in  some 
places. 

Pie.  [Aside.]  What  shall  I  do  1  if  I  get  her  a  coach, 
she'll  go  away,  and  I  may  never  see  her  again — I  ought  to 
make  a  passionate  declaration  to  her — What  a  fool ! — I'll 
summon  up  courage,  and  say  something  very  ardent !  [A- 
loud.]  Madam  !  [Advancing  hastily. 

Duch.  Sir! 


20  THE    FOI.I.IES    OF    A    NIGHT.  [Act  I. 

Pie.  I — I'll  see  if  I  can  get  you  a  coach.     [Crosses,  L. 

Due//.  Let  me  entreat  you  to  make  haste — every  mo- 
ment is  of"  consequence  to  me. 

Pic.  I  am  going  this  instant — you  won't  mind  being  left 
alone  in  this  apartment  ? 

Due//.  Oh,  no,  no — 

Pie.  It's  clean  and  airy.  That  window  opens  on  the 
street — there's  a  very  pretty  prospect  from  it  in  the  day 
time,  I  can  assure  you. 

D'/c//.  I  have  no  doubt — 

Pie.  You  can  see  the  roofs  of  all  the  houses  on  the  other 
side  of  the  way. 

Duc/i.  That  must  be  highly  interesting — but  just  at  pre- 
sent— 

Pie.  Ah  !  just  at  present,  the  view  inside  is  most  in- 
teresting to  me !  [Aside.]  I've  done  it — I've  said  some- 
thing ! 

Duc/i.  [Aside.]  Will  he  never  go  ! 

Pie.  And  she's  evidently  affected  by  it.  Bravo  !  I'm  as 
bold  as  a  lion  now.  I'll  make  a  dash  at  once.  [Aloud.] 
Yes,  madam,  at  this  moment,  I  say  the  view  wit/iin  is 
most  interesting;  for,  oh,  madam  ! — 

[Falls  on  one  knee,  l.  of  her. 

Due//.  [Turning  quickly  and  running  to  him\  Have  you 
hurt  yourself] 

Pic.  Eh  %     Not  at  all. 

Diic/i.  Thank  goodness  !  [Helping  him  up.]  I  was  afraid 
you  had,  I  wish  you  to  make  haste,  certainly,  but  not  to 
endanger  ymir  limbs  or  your  neck. 

Pie.  You're  very  kind. — I'm  much  obliged  to  you — I— 
I'll  go  for  the  coach  directly.  [Exit,  h. 

D/ic//.  Poor  fellow  !  I  think  he  limps  a  little — 'twas  an 
awkward  fall.  Mercy  on  me  ;  I,  alone,  at  this  hour,  with 
a  young  man,  in  his  apartments !  Oh,  into  what  a  situation 
has  my  foolish  frolic  plunged  me, — What  a  place  to  live 
in.  [LooJcing  aro/ind.]  And  yet,  no  doubt,  he  is  as  happy 
here,  as  he  would  be  in  the  finest  furnished  apartments  in 
the  Palace  of  Versailles,  And  why  not?  After  all,  with 
youth,  health,  and  a  clear  conscience,  one  ought  to  be  hap- 
py anywhere. 

AIR. — DccHBss. 

Did  we  mortals  know  how  little  on  earth. 
Was  reaUy  for  happiness  needed  j 


Scene  II.] 


THE    FOLLIES    OF    A    NIGHT.  21 


What,  cares  would  faJe — wliat  love  and  mirth 

Wonkl  plums  every  moment's  wing; 

For  content  is  the  only  true  spring;, 
From  which  happiness  ever  proceeded — 
And  tlie  source  which  we  seek  far  and  wide. 
The  poorest  may  find  by  his  o\vii  fireside. 

Now  we  dream  'tis  Ikis — now  we  fancy  'tis  there, 

No  li?ht  on  our  dull  sense  Ijreaking; 
As  an  aljsent  man  hunts  everywhere 
♦         For  the  hat  which  is  under  his  arm. 
For  content  is  the  only  true  chaiTn, 
Of  this  world  a  bright  paradise  making — 
And  the  bliss  which  we  seek  far  and  wide, 
Awaits  U3,  unseen,  by  our  own  fireside. 

_^li ! — Somebody   ascends  the  stairs — They  pause  at  the 
door.      If  it  should  be — 

Pierre.  [  Without.]  Open  the  door,  if  you  please. 

Duck.  No  ! — It  is  his  voice — It  is  Monsieur  PalHot ! 

[Opens  the  door,  l. 

En/er  Pibukk,  ?i'«V7i  a  basket  in  one  hand,  some  hread  in  the 
other,  and  a  bottle  of  wine  under  each  arm. 

Pie.  I  beg  your  pardon — but  my  hands,  you  see,  are 
full,  and  I  could  not  turn  the  key. 

JDuch.   Is  the  coach  at  the  d(K)r  ? 

Pie.  Ah,  the  coach  !  I'm  sorry  to  say,  there  wasn't  one 
to  be  found. 

Duch.  How  distressing  !  You  surely  cannot  have  tried 
— you  have  been  gone  so  short  a  time  ! 

Pie.  Oh,  I  ran,  and  looked  in  every  direction,  and  hailed 
two  or  three  that  were  hired.  It's  beginning  to  rain,  and 
they're  all  gone  in  a  moment. — \Aside.\  I  flatter  myself  I 
told  that  lie  famously.  Oh,  it's  a  capital  idea  I've  got  now, 
if  I  can  but  follow  it  up. 

Duch.  \Aside.\  There  is  but  one  way  left.  [Alaud^^  Sir, 
you  have  shown  so  much  readiness  to  oblige  me,  that  I  am 
e.Tiboldened  to  ask  yf)U  another  favour. 

Pie.  A  favour  ! — of  me  ! — Oh,  speak  ! — I — 

[Endearours  to  express  his  feelings  hi/  action,  but  is  eni' 
barrassed  by  the  j^rovisions  he  is  laden  with. 

Duch.  May  1  request  you,  as  no  coach  is  to  be  obtained, 
to  see  me  safely  home  ] 

Pie.  See  you  home  !  With  the  greatest  pleasure — after 
supper. 


22  THE    FOLLIES    OK    A    NIGHT.  [AcT  1. 

DucJi.  No,  now  ;  without  delay.     Give  me  your  arm. 

Pie.  My  arm — why,  you  see — at  present — just  wait  a 
moment.  [Putting  down  basket,  ^r.,  on  tahle.\  1  really  am 
so  hungry,  and  I  was  sure  you  must  be  so,  too,  that  I 
thought  a  cold  roast  fowl,  and  a  pate,  and  a  glass  of  Bor- 
deaux or  Chablis,  whichever  you  like  best — I  would  have 
brought  some  Champagne,  but — [aside^ — but  had  no  more 
money. 

Duch.  For  me  !  I  fear  that  you  have  put  yourself  to 
expense. 

Pie.  Oh,  don't  mention  that,  pray,  madam,  I'm  only  so 
ry  that,  not  having  expected   company — [Runni7ig  to  t'.e 
closet.]  I  have  two  jjlates,  however — indeed,  I  may   .ay 
three,  almost,  [s//owing  a  hrokcn  one,]  and  two  glasses  and 
if  you  will  condescend  to  put  up  with — 

Duch.  Believe  me,  I  appreciate  your  kindness  ;  but  just 
at  this  moment  I  am  too  anxious,  too  alarmed,  to  f  ^el  hun- 
gry ;  and  if  you  will  but  enable  me  to  reach  hom  j  in  safe- 

Pie.  After  supper. 

Duch.  No,  now,  now  !  \A  hnoclc  at  the  door,  L. 

Pie.  A  knock  at  my  door  \      Who  can  that  be  % 

Duch.  My  mask,  my  mask  !  [Looking  for  it. 

Pie.  It  can't  be  Coquillard — and  I  know  nobody  else. 
[Knock  again.]   Come  in. 

Duch.  For  mercy's  sake —  [Bolts  the  door. 

Pic.  Don't  come  in!  [To  her.]  You're  quite  right.  I 
beg  your  pardon.  [Aloud.]  Stop  a  minute. 

Duch.   Where  can  I  hide.  ?  tell  me,  tell  me  ! 

[Snatching  up  ?nask  and  domino. 

Pie.  In  here  ;  take  tlie  key.  I'll  tap  when  they're  gone. 
[Knocking  again.]  I'm  coming.  [Duchess  enters  hedchamher 
hastily.]  Now,  then.  [Opens  door,  l. 

Enter  Duke,  l. 

Duke.  Sorry  to  intrude,  but — 

Pie.  [Aside.]  My  antagonist !  [^?om£^.]  I  say,  your  watch 
must  be  fast. 

Duke.  Fast !     What  d'ye  mean  ? 

Pie.  Why,  I  expected  you  in  the  morning — but  not  be- 
fore day-break.     I'ts  only  half-past  three. 

Duke.  Expected  !    eh  1    [Looking  at  hitn.)    Ah  !     I've 


Scene  II.] 


THE    FOLLIES    OF    A   NIGHT.  23 


seen  you  before — you  are  the  young  gentleman  who  chal- 
lenged me,  I  think  !  You  gave  me  your  address,  I  be- 
lieve ? 

Pie.  Of  course  I  did,  or  how  did  you  find  me  out. 

Duke.  Faith,  by  accident  on  this  occasion — for  I  had 
forgotten  all  about  our  quarrel. 

Pie.  You  had  1     But  I  have  not,  sir,  and  I  insist — 

Duke.  Hush — stop.  I  am  pursued  by  the  police,  and 
have  taken  refuge  here.  If  you  make  a  disturbance,  or 
refuse  me  an  asylum  at  present,  I  shall  be  taken,  and  you 
may  then  go  without  the  satisfaction  you  require. 

Pie.  (r.)  That's  all  very  well ;  but  wliat  have  you  done 
to  be  pursued  by  the  police  ]  Perhaps  you're  a  pick- 
pocket ? 

Dulic.  No,  no,  don't  be  alarmed  ;  I'm  quite  gentleman 
enough  for  your  purpose.  I  have  merely  been  giving 
chase  to  a  pretty  woman,  who  ran  away  from  me ! 

Pie.  I'm  not  surprised  at  that — 

Duke.  Eh  '\ 

Pie.  I  say,  I'm  not  surprised  at  that. 

Duke.  At  my  giving  chase  \ 

Pie.  No — at  her  running  away. 

Duke.  There's  no  accounting  fin- tastes,  certainly.  Well, 
she  succeeded  in  giving  me  the  slip,  and  whilst  with  a  friend 
I  was  hunting  about  for  some  trace  of  her,  the  police,  who 
had  been  set  upon  us — for  what  reason,  I  can't  imagine, 
as  we  had  been  guilty  of  nothing  more  than  a  common 
masquerade  frolic — came  up,  and  as  I  had  particular  rea- 
sons for  not  wishing  to  get  into  their  hands — 

Pie.  I'm  not  surprised  at  that. 

Duke.  Eh] 

Pie.  I  say,  I'm  not  surprised  at  that. 

Duke.  I  declare,  you're  quite  severe  this  morning — how- 
ever, to  end  my  story — I  was  obliged  to  knock  down  one 
man,  while  my  friend  tripped  up  the  other,  and  then  took 
to  my  heels  with  a  whole  pack  after  me — seeing  a  dark 
passage  without  a  door  to  it,  just  as  I  turned  the  corner 
of  this  street,  I  stepped  in  and  let  them  pass  me  in  full  cry 
— and  then  softly  felt  my  way  up  six  pair  of  stairs,  till  I 
saw  a  light  from  under  this  door,  and  heard  voices — 

Pie.  Ah  !   you  heard  voices. 

Duke.  Yes — one  was  a  female's.  You  are  married,  I 
suppose. 


24  THE    FOLLIES    OF    A    NIGHT.  f  Act  I. 

Pic.  No,  sir,  I  am  not. 

Diila'.  Not — oh,  then,  I  beg  you  a  thousand  pardons. 
I  wouldn't  intrude  for  the  world.  If  you  would  just  have 
the  kindness  to  stej)  down  stairs — 

Pic.  Step  down  stairs  !      What  for  ] 

Duke.  To  see  if  the  coast  is  clear  ;  and  if  so,  call  me 
a  coach. 

Pic.  Call  ijou  a  coach!  [^4*?Jc.J  Confound  his  impu- 
dence! He  wants  a  coach  now.  [A/oud.]  'Sdeath,,sir  ! 
do  you  take  me  £ov  a  porter  1  Go  and  call  a  coach  for 
yourself! 

Duke.  But  I  tell  you,  if  I  am  seen,  I  may  be  taken. 

Pie.   What  do  I  care — 

Duke.  How?     You  refuse  ? 

Pic.  Sir,  I'm  engatred.  I  have  company,  and  I  must 
request  you  to  walk  down  stairs. 

Dul.c.  Ah  !  you've  company — true — and  I  see  supper 
ready  for  two — and  you  are  not  married — eh  1 

Pie.  Sir,  you  oblige  me  to  tell  you — 

Duke.  [Pinching  /lis  ea?-.]  Oh,  you  sly  rogue. 

Pie.  Be  quiet,  will  you.     Let  go  my  ear. 

Duke.  I  say,  is  she  pretty  1 — humph  ! 

Pie.   Yes — no — what's  that  to  you,  sir  1 

Duke.  And  young,  of  course — sixteen — eighteen — eh  1 

Pic.  Was  there  ever — what's  that  to  you  1  I  shall  do 
something  desperate,  if  you  don't  go  ! 

Duke.  I'll  waji^er,  now — some  piquante  little  grisette — 

Pie.  Grisette  !  No,  sir,  she's  not  a  grisette  !  \Asifle.\ 
Egad,  I'll  frighten  him  !  \^^lourl.]  She's  a  lady  of  quality, 
sir,  and  if  you  don't  go  directly,  she — 

Duke.  Ha,  ha.  ha  !  A  lady  of  quality  ;  and  fond  of  yow, 
my  dear  fellow  !  She  must  be  a  person  of  high  rank,  no 
doubt.  Perhaps  I  have  the  honour  of  her  acquaintance. 
May  I  beg  an  introduction? 

Pic.  He's  not  frightened  at  all.  [Aloud.]  Will  you  get 
out  of  the  house  ? 

Duke.  Directly,  if  you'll  fetch  me  a  coach.  Seriously, 
I've  no  wish  to  disturb  your  happiness,  my  good  fnend, 
Ijut  I  won't  stir  till  a  coach  is  at  the  door,  1  tell  you  fairly. 

[Sits 

Pie.  [Aside.]  He  has  sat  down!  He  has  positively  sat 
down  !     I  don't  think  I  could  fling  him   down   staira,  if  I 


.^LKNElLl  I'HK    iOLr.IKS    OF    A    NlGIiT.  25 

tried  ;  and  the  noise  would  disturb  everybody  in  the  house 
— and  tlien  she  might  be  seen.  1  do  believe  I'd  better  get 
him  a  coach-  [AIouJ.]  If  I  get  a  coach,  will  you  go  quiL-ily 
and  instantly  ] 

DhJcc.  I  will,  and  fight  you  as  soon  as  you  please  after 
day-break. 

Pic.  You'll  tell  me  where  T  shall  find  you,  then? 

DnJcc.  Certainly. 

¥*/t'.  And  you  won't  attempt  to  enter  that  room  vvhile 
I'm  gone  ? 

Duhe.  Oh  !      She's  in  that  room,  is  she  ? 

\Co.>ncs  down,  l.  c. 

Pie.  That's  no  answer  to  my  question  ! 

Dul<c.  On  my  lionour  as  a  gentleman! 

Pie.  I'll  go  and  get  you  a  coach. 

Duhe.  Bravo  ! 

Pic.  \Asidc.\  She  has  locked  herself  in — and  I  shall  be 
back  in  two  minutes — I'll  find  a  coach  for  liim  soon  enoufr]], 
I  warrant  raT  !  \Exit,  l. 

DulxC.  Ha,  ha  ! — It  must  be  confessed,  my  visit  here  was 
rather  mal-a-propos.  Poor  devil  ! — I  shouldn't  have  liked 
it  myself — to  be  sent  for  a  coach — just  as  he  was  about  to 
sit  down  to  supper — tete-a-tete — and — ha,  ha,  ha! — with 
a  lady  of  quality  !  Great  quality,  no  doubt — a  grocer's 
wife,  or  perhaps  a  doctor's  1  Faith,  I  don't  know  why  I 
should  say  that,  though — ladies  of  quality  have  been  known 
to  take  odd  fancies.  Is  there  no  getting  a  peep  at  the  wo- 
man— I'm  curious  to  ascertain — I  promised  I  wouldn't 
enter  that  room — but  perhaps  I  might  lure  her  out  of  it — 
suppose  I  just  tapped  at  the  door — she  might  think  me 
gone,  and  that  it  was  her  friend — I'll  try,  by  Cupid  ! 
\Iie  stc'ih  softhj  to  the  door  of  the  chamhcr,  r.,  and.  tap.s.] 
No  movement — I'll  try  again.  yVajiping  ugain?^  The  key 
turns ! 

\Thc  Ducliess  opens  the  door  and  comes  out  cautiously, 
the  Duhe  receding  hehind  the  door  as  she  enters  ;  she 
has  on  her  mask  and  domi?io. 

Duel/.  [Catching  sight  of  him  as  she  turns.]  Ah  ! 

[Endeavours  to  re-enter  the  chamber,  hut  the  Duhe  has 
2)ushcd  to  the  door,  and  stands  hcfore  if. 

Duhe.  My  pink  domino,  by  all  that's  fortunate  !  [She 
attempts  to  escape,  he  holds  her\  No,  no,  you're  caught  nov7, 
my  charming  runaway  ! 


26  THE  Foi.r.iKs  ok  a  night.  [ActI. 

Duch.  \Asulc.]   -»Iy  Imsband  ! — I  shall  die  ! 

Duke.  Don't  be  alarmed  ! — I'm  the  most  discreet  of 
men  !  Let  me  see  that  beautiful  face — for  beautiful  1  am 
sure  it  is — and  be  assured,  that  if  I  recognize  the  wife  or 
dauo-hter  of  the  best  friend  I  have  in  the  world,  I  am  too 
well  bred  to  mention  it  to  anybody. 

[Trj/ing  io  take  off  her  viaxlc. 

Diicli.  Sir!   [StntggUnn:  u-ithhim.\  I  entreat — I  implore! 

Duke.  Oh,  you  may  alter  your  voice  as  much  as  •^•oii 
please — it  w'ould  be  useless,  if  I  had  ever  heaid  it  before. 
I've  an  extraordinary  quick  ear  and  eye  !  A  person  1  have 
once  seen  or  conversed  with,  I  should  detect  through  any 
disguise. 

Duch.  [As'iiJc]  Merciful  powers  ! 

\^Druii:s  the  domino  closer  round  Iter. 

Duke.  And  I  am  therefore  certain,  that  till  this  happy 
night,  we  have  never  met. 

Duck.  [Aside.]  Ha  !  Is  he  serious  ?  Does  he  really 
not  suspect — 

Duke.  So  let  me  see  your  face,  if  but  to  convince  me. 

Duch.  If  you  are  a  gentleman,  forbear  ! 

Duke.  Upon  my  honour,  you  are  a  very  mysterious  per- 
sonage !  You  have  either  a  most  especial  and  singular 
horror  of  me,  or  you  have  some  dreadfully  jealous  hus- 
band, or  tyrant  father,  of  whom  you  stand  in  awe.  May 
I  ask  if  the  old  gentleman  whose  arm  you  hung  so  fondly 
on  at  the  ball,  stands  in  either  of  those  relations  to  you  % 

Duch.  [Aside.]  What  shall  I  say  %  [Aloud.]  He  is  my 
uncle,  sir. 

Duke.  Your  uncle!  indeed!  [yls/V/e.]  Dr.  Druggendraft 
her  uncle.  She  little  dreams  I  know  hivci.  [Aland.]  And 
the  young  man  in  whose  chamber  I  find  you  is — your  cou- 
sin, no  doubt  % 

Duch.  He  is — you  are  right,  sir. 

Duke.  I  thought  it  must  be  so.  And  you  often  come 
and  sup  with  your  cousin'? 

Ducli.  [Dagcrhj.]  Indeed,  I  came  not  to  sup  with  him, 
and  it  is  the  first  time  I  ever  w'as  in  this  house. 

Duke.  Oh,  come,  come  !  I  have  no  right  to  ask  ques- 
tions ;  but,  at  the  same  time,  I  am  not  bound  to  believe — 

Duch.  I  declare,  solemnly  ! 

Duke.  Nay,  if  you  wish  to  prove  the  truth  of  what  you 
assert,  there  is  but  one  way — 


Scene  II.] 


THE    KOLLIKS    Or     A    NiyHT.  27 


DurJi.  And  tliat  is — 

Dtike.   To  sup  with  J}ic,  my  angel ! 

Duc/f.  How  ! 

D'(kc.  Clianning  creatuj'e,  whoever  you  are,  do  you 
believe  in  love  at  first  sight  ] 

Duck.   No. 

Diihc.  Yon  are  wrong,  then.  I  swear,  even  the  little 
tliat  1  have  seen  of  you  lias  bewitched  me  !  From  the  in- 
staiit  I  set  eyes  upon  you  at  the  Masquerade,  1  felt  that 
my  heart  was  irrevocably  yours  ! 

Duel).  \^Asu]c\  So,  so,  my  faithful  husband  !  Oh,  if  I 
dared ! 

Duke.  Come — supper  is  ready,  you  see,  and  I  am  anx- 
ious to  believe  you.     Let  us  sit  down. 

Duck,   What,  in  the  absence  of — 

Duke.  Your  cousin?  To  be  sure — it  will  be  the  more 
aoTceable.  This  foolish  young  fellow  is  not  worthy  of  you 
— you  must  know  he  is  not.  Transfer  your  affection  to 
me — I  will  return  it  with  ardour!  Reign  supreme  in  this 
heart,  of  which  you  are  the  chosen  sovereign  ! 

Duch.  [Asi(Ic.\  The  traitor !  And  could  he  dare,  after 
this,  to  upbraid  me  ?  [Aloinh]  But  I  have  no  affection  for 
this  young  man,  sir;  and  1  repeat,  this  is  the  first  time  I 
have  entered  these  doors. 

Duke.  Sit  down  to  supper,  and  I  will  believe  everything 
you  say.  \Genth/  forcing  her  into  a  chair,  r.,  sits  l.  of  ta- 
ble, and  kisses  her  hand. 

Duch.  Well,  if  you  insist!  \Asidc.\  Oh,  Duke,  Duke, 
what  a  lesson  do  you  deserve  ! 

Duke.  Allow  me.  [Helping  her,  then  himself.]  By  no 
means  a  bad  dish  !      Won't  you  take  off  your  mask  1 

Duch.  No — 1  make  it  a  condition,  on  my  part,  to  pre- 
serve my  incognita ! 

Duke.  Be  it  so,  then.  And  yet,  as  you  are  unknown  to 
me  personally — for  I'll  wager  you  are  not  a  resident  in 
Paris — I  fancy  I  can  detect  an  accent — 

Duch.  You  are  right.  [^su/r.J  Let  me  endeavour  to  mis- 
lead him  altogether,  [Aloud.\  I  will  acknowledge  thus 
much  to  you.  My  husband  is  a  draper  at  Dijon.  It  was 
a  match  of  inclination  on  my  part,  and  I  am  still  fonder 
of  him  than  he  deserves. 

Duke.  Ah  !  you  should  conquer  that  weakness,  and  treat 
him  as  he  deserves. 


28  THE    FOLLIES    Of    A    NIGHT.  [Act  I, 

Ducli.  He  may  drive  me  to  such  a  step,  should  he  con- 
tinue in  his  present  dissolute  courses. 

Duke.  Is  he  in  Paris  ? 

Duck.  1  have  reason  to  believe  he  is,  though  his  busi- 
ness requires  his  presence  elsewhere.  I  came  on  a  visit 
to  my  uncle,  and  being  induced  by  curiosity  to  go  to  the 
Masquerade,  was  separated  from  him  in  the  crowd,  pur- 
sued by  you,  and  protected  by  this  young — by  my  cou- 
sin. 

Dtil<o.  Ah  !  by  your  cousin — you  had  almost  foi'gottcn 
the  relationship.  We'll  drink  his  health.  \Fours  out  ivine 
for  hot/t.]  And  now,  confidence  for  confidence.  1  am  a 
gentleman  of  Normandy.  My  father  s])ent  a  fortune  in 
tlie  king's  service,  and  at  the  end  of  forty  years,  received 
through  the  royal  munificence,  a  pension,  on  which  it  was 
impossible  to  exist.  He  died,  poor  old  man,  and  I  came 
to  Paris  to  urge  the  claims  of  the  family.  My  journey  has 
been  successful — I  have  found  favour  at  Court — 1  am  pro- 
mised a  regiment,  and  with  that  and  my  wife's  little  for- 
tune— 

DucJi.  Your  wife  ! 

Dulic.  Oh,  yes,  I'm  married  also — to  a  very  good,  quiet 
sort  of  pei'son,  who  never  troubles  her  head  about  my  pro- 
ceedings. I,  like  yourself,  was  induced  by  curiosity  to  visit 
the  Masquerade — saw  you,  and  was  instantly  smitten  with 
an  imcontrollable  passion — followed  you,  as  you  are  aware 
— was  followed  in  my  turn  by  the  police,  and  took  refuge 
here,  in  obedience  to  a  secret  presentiment  that  here  I 
should  find  you  ! 

Duch.  \Aside?^  Friglitened  as  I  am,  I  can  scarcely  con- 
trol my  desire  to  burst  out  laughing  in  his  impudent  face. 
\Aloml.\  How  extraordinary  !  And  you  are  really  trying 
to  obtain  a  regiment — 

Duke.  Only  to  give  your  husband  the  contract  for  cloth- 
ing it !      Ha,  ha,  ha  ! 

Duch.  Ridiculous  ! 

Duke.  Nay,  I  did  not  say  so  of  your  story. 

Diicli.  But  mine  is  true,  sir. 

Duke.  Well,  mine  is  not,  except  as  regards  my  love  for 
you  ;  in  token  of  which,  I  beg  you  to  accept  this  ring ! 
\^Takirig  a  ring  ojf  Jiis  oion  finger,  and  placing  It  on  the 
Duchess's. 


Scene  II.]  THK    IOLI.IKS    OF    A    NIGHT.  29 

Duel).   [.'lAvV/f'.]    It  sliall  be  a  token  of  tliy  infidelity  ! 
Dulc.  And  in  return,  grant  me  one  kiss! 
.DucJi.  ;>ir! 

Duke.  Oil,  a  kiss  given  by  a  gentleman  of  Normandy  to 
the  wife  of  a  drajier  of  Dijon,  can  compromise  nobody. 
Duel).   Let  me  go,  1  insist!  [Stn/ffs^li?ig. 

Duhc.  Nay,  a  kiss  1  will  have ! 

[Kisses  her  as  the  door  opens. 

Enter  Pierre,  l. 

Pie.  The  cnach  is  here — Ah  ! 

Duke.  Confound  the  booby  ! 

Duch.  [Asiile.\  How  will  this  end  % 

Pie.  Very  pretty — very  pretty,  upon  my  word !  \ Aside.] 
And  1,  who  Vvas  afraid  even  to  kiss  her  hand  !  [Aloud  and 
fiercely.]  I  thought,  sir,  you  p.romisetl,  upon  your  honour, 
not  to  enter  that  room  ? 

Duke.  And  I  kept  my  promise,  sir. 

Pie.  What!  Do  you  mean  to  say  she  came  out  on  pur- 
pose, then — and — oh — Vv'ell — I  declare!  [Crosses  to  the 
TahJe,  and  looking  at  si/jiper.]  If  they  hav'n't  supped,  ac- 
tually supped,  both  of  them,  without  me  !  Well,  if  I  didn't 
see  it  with  mine  own  eyes — I  couldn't  have  believed  it 
possible. 

Duch.   [Aside.]  How  can  I  explain  to  him  ! 

Pie  And  do  you  think  1  shall  put  up  with  this  quietly? 
No,  sir!  [VioIeid/>/.]  I'll  have  satisfaction  here,  upon  the 
instant !  One  of  us  shall  fall  before  the  faithless  creature's 
face ! 

Duch.  Faithless  !  [Aside.]  What  will  the  Duke  imagine ! 
[  To  Pienr.]  How  dare  you — 

Pie.  Don't  talk  to  mc  !  I'm  desperate  !  Eat  my  sup- 
per together,  whilst  I  was  running  all  over  Paris  in  the  rain 
to  get  him  a  coach  ! 

Duke,  (l),  [ylieVZc]  I  must  stop  this  fellow's  mouth.  [To 
7iim.]  Hear  mc — 

Pie.  I  have  no  swords — but  knives  for  daggers — 

[  Takes  them. 

Duch.  Hold,  madman!  [Aside  to  Pi(rre.)  'Tis  my  hus- 
bisnd  ! 

Pie.  [Thunderstruck.]  Eh  ! 

Dnkc.  \AKi']r  to  him]  Hark  in  your  ear — T  am  the  Duke 
dr  Clpn-trr^. 


30  THE    FOI.I.IKS    or    A    MGHT.  [Act  I. 

Pie.  I  OrencJicImcd — aahlc]  The  king's  nepliew  and  her 
husband  !  Oh,  what  will  become  of  me.  The — he — she 
— my  head  spins  round — I  must  take  the  liberty  of  sitting 
down  for  a  few  minutes.  [Sits,  c. 

Duke.  Be  calm,  young  man  ;  you  surely  must  see  the 
impropriety  of  making  all  this  disturbance  before  a  fair 
lady,  who  has  done  you  the  honour  of  mounting  six  pair 
of  stairs,  for  your  sake. 

Pie.  [Aside.]  If  he  should  ever  know  she's  his  wife  ! 
I'm  a  lost  creature  !  The  Eastile  for  life  !  Perhaps  the 
gibbet  ! 

Duke.  Positively,  you  are  much  to  blame  ;  see  hoA'  you 
Irave  terrified  her.  [App  road  ting  /^er.]  Compose  yourself, 
madam.  [Aside  to  her.]  Where  can  I  see  you  again  ? 
[Aloud  to  Pierre.']  And  believe  me,  you  are  unjust  to  call 
her  faithless ;  for  it  was  I  who  lured  her  out  of  your  cham- 
ber, and  insisted  upon  her  supping  with  me.  By  Cupid, 
you  are  a  lucky  fellow,  and  ought  to  be  perfectly  contented 
— to  be  loved  by  a  beautiful  woman  of  quality,  as  you  say 
she  is — 

Pie.  I — no — I  don't  say  any  such  thing  —  that  is — I  don't 
know  who  she  is.  I  never  saw  her  before,  and  she  doesn't 
love  me,  I  assure  you  !   [Aside.]   Oh,  dear!   oh,  dear  ! 

Duke.  Nay,  nay,  I  have  no  right — it  was  your  own  con- 
fession, and  so  farewell !      I  leave  you  together. 

Pic.  No,  no,  I  object.  [Holding  him. 

Duke.  You  object — to  what? 

Duck.   [Aside  to  Pierre.]   Let  him  go,  for  Heaven's  sake ! 

Pie.  [Aside  to  her.]  Let  him  go  !  What,  for  him  to 
fancy — Don't  tell  me — he  shall  do  no  such  thing!  [Aloud.] 
Sir,  if  you  quit  this  room,  I  shall  go  with  you. 

Duke.  You? 

Pie.  Yes,  me  !   I  insist  upon  your  taking  me  with  you ! 

Duch.   [Aside.]  And  what  is  to  become  of  me  ? 

Pie.  Eh!  Well,  then,  all  three,  we'll  all  three  go  to- 
gether; but  I  won't  be  left  alone  with — with  this  lady. 

Duke.  His  jealousy  has  disordered  his  wits. 

Duch.  [Aside.]  In  his  alarm,  lie  will  betray  me!  Ah, 
he  said  there  was  a  coach  at  the  door!  If  I  could  but 
contrive.  [Aside  to  Duke.)  Lock  him  up  in  that  room,  and 
I  Vv-ill  accept  your  protection  home. 

Duke.  {Aside.)  Ah,  delicious  !  {Aloud  fo  Pierre.)  One 
word,  my  good  friend,  v,-it!i  V')u  nloiio — 


Scene  III.]  THE    FOI,T,IES    OF    A    NIGHT.  31 

Pic.  Alone — where  1 

Duke.  Any  where.      In  this  chanibei" — 

[Leading  liivi  towards  BedcJiamher,  r. 
Pie.  Well,  but— 

Dulce.  Not  a  syllable  ;  here,  go  in — [Pushes  liim  in.) — 
and  stay  there.  [Pulling  Iceij  out  of  door,  shutting  the  door 
suddenly,  and  holting  tJie  door  on  the  outside  ;   at  the 
same  moment,  the  Duehess,   who  has  watched  her  op- 
fortunity,  slips  out  by  the  outer  door,  l.,  and  lochs  it 
audibly  on  the  outside,  leaving  the  Duhe  a  prisoner 
in  his  turn. 
Duhe.  Now  then ! — [Tur7iing.]  Gone  [—[Runs  to  door,  l., 
and  trying  to  open  it.] — and  the   door  locked  ! — The  cun- 
ning gipsy! — [Trying  to  force  it  icith  his  foot. \  Confound 
the  door ! 

Pie.  [Hammering  at  the  other  door.\  Let  me  out,  let  mc 
out! 

Duhe.  If  from  this  window  T  could  hail  the  coachman. 
[Runs  and  opens  the  windo/c]  'Sdeath,  he's  driving  off! — 
Hallo! — Hey  ! — Coach!  As  I  live,  she's  in  it !  Outge- 
neralled  every  way  ! 

[Noise  rf  footsteps  ascending  tlie  stairs,  followed  hy  a 
loud  hnocliing  at  tJie  door. 
Duhe.  Who's  there  1 

[Voice  without.]  Opeu,  in  the  King's  name. 
Duke.  'Tis  the  Guard  !     How  to  escape  them — 
Pie.  [Within.]  Let  me  out !  let  me  out  ! 
Duke.  Ha! 

[Runs  and  unlocks  the  Bcdchamhcr  door,  and  hlotcs  out 
the  candle,   as  tlie   Guard  force  open   the  door  from 
without,  and  hastily  enter,  l.     Pierre  rushes  out  of 
the   hcdchamhcr,    R.,  and  is  seized   by  them.     The 
Duhe  slips  out  unobserved,  l. 
Officer.  You  are  our  prisoner  ! 
Pie.  What  for?     What  have  I  done  ? 
OJi.  Silence  !— March  ! 

flNALE. — Officer. —  ("  Garde  avous.") 

March  away,  march  away. 

We've  orders  you  to  seize  on  ; 

But  whether  'tis  for  treason, 
Or  for  murder,  we  can't  say. 
March  away,  march  away. 


32  THE  rot. r. IKS  of  a  xroTiT. 


Vir.iiRy.. 

Tho  treason's  against  nr%  sir. 
And  mniilerit  will  be,  sir; 
If  I  for  it  must  pay. 
Well-ii-clay,  well-a-day ! 

Chorus. 
March  away,  &c. 

END    OF    ACT    I. 


[Act  II. 


ACT     II. 

Scene  I. — Antc-cltnmher  in  the  Pahiis  Roi/al. —  On  R.,  tJie 
door  of  the  Apartment  of  the  Duchess  ile  Chartrcs — on 
L.,  a  smaller  door,  sitj'posed  to  lead  to  a  private  Stair- 
casf.  At  the  bach,  a  fair  of  folding  doors,  opening  on  a 
Gallery. 

The  DuciiKss  opens  tlie  donr,  l.,  from  2'>''ii'ate  Staircase, 
peeps  in,  then  enters  qnicJchj.  She  has  on  her  Domino, 
and  the  JMask  in  her  hand. 

Duch.  Fortune  be  praisetl,  no  one  yet  stirring  !  I  have 
arrived  safe,  undiscovered — what  an  adventure — and  what 
an  escape  !  Tlie  Duke  in  Paris — at  the  Masquerade — and 
oh,  Philip,  Philip  !  mine  was  an  act  of  folly — of  impru- 
dence— but  yours — yet  would  the  world  pass  with  a  smile 
over  your  infidelity,  and  visit  my  childish  frolic  witlj'  the 
severest  condemnation. 

AIH. — DucHF.s.". — {"J  etais  hien  jeiine  encore.") 

yield;n;2;  to  each  temptation, 

Man  in  his  reason  triumph  mny, 
"Whilst  poor  woman's  reputation, 

One  liirht  word  can  cast  away. 
Such  is  tiie  regulation  ! 
Could  we  with  men  change  places. 

How  much  our  conduct  their's  would  shame! 
For,  ill  every  hundred  cases, 

N^inely-nine  woiild  do  the  same  ! 
'At  a  rough  calculation  ! 

\Exit  into  her  own  apartment,  u. 


ScenkI.j  tug  roi.MF-.^  o;-   a  night.  33 

Enter  Dr.  Drugglndraft,  ^/o/w  /o/^Z/w^'  doors,  n.  c. 

Dr.D.  Six  o'clock  !  Broad  duyliglit,  and  yet  no  news 
of  the  Duches.^.  Horrible  suspense !  if  her  absence  is  once 
known  to  the  household,  I  am  a  ruined  man  !  I  said  some- 
thing terrible  would  happen — 1  knew  it,  I  felt  it! — and 
poor  AJa'iie  Duval,  she'll  be  dismissed  also — and  then  I 
must  stifle  my  ardent  passion,  as  she  will  have  neither  sa- 
lary nf)r  influence,  and  consequently  it  would  be  the  height 
C)f  imprudence  to  make  her -Madame  Uruggendraft.  Ah! 
she  is  here. 

Enter  Ma'lle  Jivx Mj,  from  folding  doors',  k.  c. 

What  news,  dearest  Ma'lle  1  Has  the  Duchess  yet  re- 
turned 1 

JSIalle  D.  Alas,  no  !  I  have  seen  nothing — heard  nothing 
of  the  Duchess;  but  I  have  just  been  told  that  the  man 
is  arrested. 

Dr.  D.  The  man  ! — what  man  ] 

Ma'Ve  D.  A  man  who  was  seen  carrying  a  lady  in  a 
pink  domino  through  the  streets  about  the  time  we  missed 
Her  Royal  Highness. 

Dr.  D.  Carrying  her — carrying  a  princess  through  the 
streets  ! — what  desecration  !  what  profanation  !  My  dearest 
Ma'lle  Duval,  we  are  lost — utterly  undone  ! — it  must  all 
be  made  public. 

.Ma'Ue  D.  I  tru^t  not — the  Lieutenant  of  the  Police 
himself  is  not  aware  of  the  name  or  rank  of  the  lady — he 
was  merely  ordered  to  trace  and  arrest  the  persons  who 
were  guilty  of  an  outrage  that  caused  a  disturbance  at  the 
^lasquerade — so,  if  the  Duchess  has  but  escaped  — 

Dr.  D.  But  the  man  may  know  v.'ho  she  is,  and  name 
her. 

Ma'JIe  D.  He  wouldn't,  for  his  own  sake;  it  would 
make  the  affair  more  serious  for  him.  But  you  must  ma- 
nage to  see  him,  and  interrogate  him  directly.  Hark  ! 
there's  a  foot  on  the  jjrivate  stairs  now ! — it  must  be  the 
Duchess  ! 

Dr.  D.  Has  no  one  else  a  key  of  that  entrance  ? 

Ma'lle  D.  Nobody  but  the  Duke,  who  is  at  Compeigne 
with  the  army. 

Dr.  D.  Then  it  must  be  she.  {Running  to  tlic.  door  os  if 


34  THE    FOLLIFS    OF    A    NIGHT.  |  Act  II. 

opens.)  Thank  goodness!  your  Royal  Highness  has  ro- 
tunied  at  last ! 

Enter  Duke,  l.  u.  e. 

Duke.  "At  last!" 

Dr.  D.  fy  Manic  D.   [Aside.]   The  Duke  ! 

Duhe.  Did  you  exjiect  me,  then,  Doctor  !  You  are  si- 
lent !  What's  the  matter  1 — what  has  happened — have  T 
been  sent  for,  and  passed  the  express  on  the  road  ]  Why 
don't  you  speak,  INIa'lle  Duval,  are  you  dumb  too? 

Ma'l/e  D.  (l.)  Me,  iMonseigncur  !  I  haven't  said  any- 
thing. 

Duke.  Precisely  so — and  it  is  therefore  my  request  that 
you  would  say  something  in  explanation  of  this  strange 
embarrassment,  and  of  your  appearance  here  at  this  unu- 
sual hour. 

Dr.  D.    Monseigneur — tlie    fact   is — the    Duchess as 

Ma'lle  Duval  will  inform  your  Royal  Highness. — ['Aside 
to  Jier.]  Bear  me  out — we  can't  be  worse  off'  for  a  lie  or 
two. 

Duke.  Well,  sir — the  Duchess  ] 

Dr.  D.  Her  Royal  Highness,  1  regret  to  say,  was  rather 
indisposed  last  night — and  I  was  anxious  to  hear  from 
Ma'lle  Duval  the  earliest  report  this  morning. 

Duke.  Indisposed  !   I  must  see  her  instantly. 

Dr.D.  [Aside.]  Ah,  the  devil  !  [Aloud.]  No,  no,  Mon- 
seigneur, do  not  alarm  yourself — Her  Royal  Highness  is 
much  better — and  has  just  fallen  into  the  most  tranquil 
sleep.     If  I  might  advise —  [A  hell  rings,  r. 

Ma'lle  D.  [Aside.]  The  Duchess'  bell  !  She  is  safe, 
then  !  [Exit,  r. 

Duke.  Why,  that's  her  bell !     She  is  awake,  you  hear  ! 

Dr.  D.  [Aside.]  Returned  !  is  it  possible  ! 

Duke,  1  may  go  nowl 

Dr.  D.  Pardon  me,  Monseigneur — condescend  to  wait 
one  minute — till  Ma'lle  Duval  has  prepared  her  Royal 
Highness  for  your  sudden  arx'ival. 

Duke.  Then  she  did  not  know  you  had  senti 

Zh.  D.  No — a  private  messenger  of  my  own — there  was 
no  occasion  to — it  was  scarcely  necessaiy — indeed — I  may 
say — in  point  of  fact — [Aside.]  I  have  not  the  slightest  no- 
tion of  what  I  am  saying. 


Scene  I.]  THE    FOLLIES   OF    A    NIGHT.  35 

DuJcc.  [Aside]  There  is  some  mystery  liere.  If  the 
Duchess  was  ill — how  came  he  at  the  Masquerade  last 
night?  \AIovcI.]  It  is  singular  enough,  that  I  should  have 
suddenly  determined  on  a  visit  to  Paris  at  such  a  moment, 
I  have  travelled  all  night  to  give  the  Duchess  an  agreeable 
surprise. 

i>r.  D.  [Boioing.]  Your  Royal  Highness  is  a  pattern  for 
all  married  men. 

Duice.  Ahem  ! — and  you,  Doctor,  for  all  household  phy- 
sicians— for  you  appear  to  have  been  up  all  night  also — 
you  look  pale  and  harassed. 

Dr.  D.  How  could  I  sleep,  while  her  Royal  Highness 
was  suffering  1 

Diihe.  [Aside.]  The  old  hypocrite !  [Aloud.]  And  through 
the  music  and  noise  of  the  Masquerade  ! 

Dr.  D.  [Aside.]  The  Masquerade  !  [Aloud.]  The  Mas- 
querade 1  oh,  yes — true — there  was  a  Masquerade  last 
night — in  the  theatre — I  did  hear  occasionally — in  my 
apartments — they  adjoin. 

Duke.  I  thought  you  might — in  your  apartments.  [^.«Je.] 
I  shall  dismiss  this  fellow. 

Dr.  D.  [Aside.]  I  wish  he  had  not  mentioned  the  Mas- 
querade. 

Enter  Ma'lle  Duval,  r. 

Ma'Ue  D.  Her  Royal  Highness  is  anxious  to  see  Mon- 
seigneur. 

Duke.  I  come.  Doctor,  you  must  really  take  more  care 
of  yourself — you  are  too  assiduous — too  much  devoted  to 
your  art,  and  to  your  patients — many  such  nights  as  the 
last,  would  destroy  you  ! 

[Exeunt  Duke  and  Ma'lle  Duval,  r. 

Dr.  D.  He  never  spoke  a  truer  word  in  his  life ! — 
many  such  nights  !— Another  such  would  be  the  death  of 
me  ! 

Re-enter  Ma'lle  Duval,  e. 

Well,  well, — she  was  really  there,  then  ?     Tell  me  quick 
— what  has  happened  ? 

Ma'lle  D.  I  cannot  stop — take  this  order,  and  get  the 
young  man  discharged  whom  they  have  ari'ested.  It  is 
her  Royal  Highness'  wish  that  he  should  be  set  at  liberty 
immediately,  and  treated  with  the  gi-eatest  kindness. 


36  '  THE    FOLLIES    OF    A    NIGHT.  [AoT  II. 

Dr.  D.  Bless  mo  ! — but  diJ  you  tell  the  Duchess  I  said 
slie  had  been  ill. 

jSLi'Ue  D.  Yes,  yes,  she  will  bear  you  out.  Go  and  do 
as  1  tell  you — 1  must  search  for  a  trinket  she  has  lost — 
perhaps  on  the  private  staircase. 

[Exit  h]i  small  door,  L.  u.  e. 

Dr.  D.  Set  the  young  man  at  liberty,  and  treat  him  with 
the  greatest  kindness  !  With  all  my  heart ;  but  if  I  had 
not  the  highe.-t  opinion  of  the  Duchess,  I  confess,  such  an 
order,  under  such  circumstances — ah,  tlicre  goes  the  pri- 
soner. \Plcrre  is  seen  fassing  along  tJie  Gallcnj,  guarded?^ 
Stop,  stop  !  [7o  Guards,  without  noticing  Pierre.]  Here's 
an  order  for  you  to  return — I  will  answer  for  that  young 
gentleman's  appearance,  if  necessary,  [Ea't  Gu(trds.\  Sir, 
[ro  Pierre,  and  bowing  very  low  as  Ite  adi-a?iccs,] — I  have  the 
honour  to  convey  to  you  the  commands  of — \recognlsing 
]ilin.\   Pierre  Palliot ! 

Pie.  Why,  didn't  you  know  me,  uncle  ? 

Dr.  D.  Pierre  Palliot ! — Ts  it  ])ossible  1  There  must  be 
some  mistake  ! — tliis  cannot  be  the  persoii — 

Pie.  Then  you  did  not  order  me  to  be  arrested  1 

Dr.D.   I!— no— 

Pie.  And  you  will  let  me  go,  then  ? 

Dr.  D.  Yes — that  i.^,  no — if — \Aside.]  Bless  me  ! — Tt'3 
very  awkward — if  he  should  be  the  man  1 — I  must  not 
compromise  the  Duchess.  [Aloud.\  Do  you  know  why  you 
wei'e  arrested  \ 

Pie.  For  carrying  a  lady  from  the  Opera  House  in  a 
pink  domino. 

Dr.D.    But  you  didn't — 

Pie.   Yes,  I  did,  but — 

Dr.D.  You  did  !  Hush! — hold  your  tongue  !— don't 
acknowledge  it  fir  the  world  !  There's  no  duno-eon  too 
"Jeep  for  you,  if  it  were  known. 

Fie.   Why,  it  was  at  her  own  recpicst ! 

Dr.  D.   At  her  own  request ! — impossible !   \ Aside.]   A  nd 

'jt,  when  1  reflect — her  singular  determination  to  go  to  the 

>nll— her  order  now  to  treat  him  with  the  greatest  kindness 

-and — ay,  to  be  sure — this  handkerchief,  which  she  threw 

""'om  her  carriage. 

Pic.  \Seeing  it.]   Ha  ! — that's  mine — give  it  me  back. 

'"•  D.  Not  for  the  world.     Rasli  young  man — if  found 


Scene  I.]  TH?,    FOLLIES    OF    A    NIGHT.  37 

on  yuu,  it  would  be  your  destrucliori. 

[Ptdtitig  it  luistihj  into  his  pocket  again. 

Pie.  It  would  ? 

Dr.  D.  Yes,  yes — But  you  must  not  stay  here — you  may 
be  seen — interrogated.  Come  witii  me — you  shall  remain 
concealed  in  my  apartment  for  the  present — anything  you 
require  shall  be  provided  tor  you. 

Pie.  My  dear  uncle,  all  this  anxiety  on  my  account! 
You  have  repented,  then,  your  ill  usage  of  me.  Let  mo 
embrace  you. 

Dr.D.  There,  there,  that'll  do.  There's  no  time  to  be 
lost — come  quickly,  before  the  Duke — ha!  he's  here. 

Enter  Duke,  r. 

Duke,  \8eeing  Pierre.]  Hey-day — my  fiiend  from  the 
Rue  de  L'Echelle  here,  and  with  the  Doctor  ! 

Dr.  D.  [Aside  to  Pierre.]   Steal  oft--steal  off. 

Pie.  (Aside.]  It's  no  use — he  has  seen  me. 

Duke.  [Aside.)  I  must  give  him  a  hint  not  to  knoAV  me. 
[Aloud.)   Who  is  that  young  man,  Doct<jr  % 

Dr.  D.  This  young  man,  Monseigneur — 

Duke.  Yes — what  does  he  here  ?  [Crossing,  and  aside  to 
Pierre.)   AVe  have  never  met  before,  mind. 

Dr.  D.  He  does  nothing  here,  Monseigneur — he  only- 
just— 

Pie.   I  only  just  came  to  see  my  uncle,  Monseigneur. 

Duke.  Your  uncle ! 

Dr.  D.  [Aside.)  Confound  him  !  What  did  he  say  that 
for? 

Duke.  Who  is  your  uncle  1 

Pie.  Dr.  Druggendraft — my  mother's  brother — my  mo- 
ther married  Michel  Palliot — now  blacksmith  and  farrier 
at  l^eauvais. 

Dr.  D.  [Aside.)  Blisters  on  his  tongue  !  [Alond.)  I  beg 
your  Royal  Highness  to  believe  it  was  entirely  without  my 
consent  that  she  fn-med  so  degi-ading  an  alliance. 

Duke.  The  Doctor  your  uncle  1  [Aside.)  Why,  then,  the 
woman's  story  teas  true,  perhaps,  and  I  may  still  trace  her. 
[Aloud.)  Have  you  any  other  nephew,  doctor  ? 

Dr.  D.  Not  that  I  know  of,  Monseigneur. 

Pie.  No,  I  am  an  only  son. 

Duke.  Ay.  but  you  have  a  niece,  perhaps — 
D 


38  THE    FOLLIES   OF    A    NIGHT.  [Act  II. 

Pie.  No,  I  have  no  sister. 

Dulce.  No,  but  you  may  have  a  cousin  hy  some  other 
sister  or  brother  of  the  doctor — or  of  your  father. 

Pie.  No,  1  have  no  cousin. 

Duke.  Indeed!  [Aside.)  So,  so — the  young  rogue,  then, 
has  actually  been  cutting  out  his  uncle  ! — a  capital  joke  ! 
(^Aloud.)  Well,  Doctor,  as  your  only  nejjhew,  this  young 
man  is  entitled  to  your  protection,  and  out  of  regard  for 
you,  I  shall  accord  him  mine. 

Pie.  Oh,  Monseigneur  !  [Aside)  If  he  should  ever  find 
out! 

Dr.  D.  [Aside.)  He,  too  ! — and  of  all  men  !  [Aloud.) 
Oh,  Monseigneur  ? — [Aside.)  If  he  had  the  slightest  suspi- 
cion ! 

Duke.  It  is  my  pleasure  that  he  shall  remain  in  the  Pa- 
lace— we  will  see  what  can  be  done  for  him. 

Pie.  [Aside.)  Here's  a  piece  of  luck  ! 

Dr.  D.  [Aside.)  Poor  Duke!  Poor  innocent  man  !  It's 
quite  shocking  to  think  of  it  ! 

Duke.  [Aside  to  Pierre.)  You  know,  of  course,  where  to 
find  your  fair  friend  again  1 

Pie.  No — do  you  1 

Duke.  Not  I.  She  played  me  a  rare  trick — went  off  in 
the  coach  you  fetched  for  me  !  Ha,  ha,  ha  !  I  had  to 
walk  through  the  wet !     Ha,  ha,  ha  ! 

Pie.  No,  had  you,  though?  Ha,  ha,  ha!  [Aside.)  He 
doesn't  suspect — it's  all  right — my  fortune's  made  !  [A- 
loud.)  Ha,  ha  !     Capital ! 

Duke.  The  cunning  baggage — locked  me  in  one  room, 
whilst  I  locked  you  in  the  other  !     Ha,  ha ! 

[BotJi  laugh  together. 

Dr.  D.  [Aside,  cmd  observing  them.)  Laughing;  both 
laughing,  ready  to  kill  themselves  !  I'm  paralyzed — are 
they  mad,  or  am  1  ? 

Duke.  [To  Pierre.)  Harkye  I  Is  the  Doctor  very  fond 
of  her  % 

Pie.  The  Doctor  % 

Duke.  Ay,  your  uncle ;  you  know  she  is  his  mistress. 

Pie.  His  mistress !     Oh,  yes,  I  know  she  is  his  mistress. 

Duke.  Ha,  ha  !  Does  he  suspect  that  he  has  a  rival  in 
you  ? 

Pie.  Hasn't  the  least  idea,  I  should  say. 


Scr.NE  I-l  THE    FOLLIES    OF    A    KIGUT  39 

Diilw.  Ha,  lia,  ha  !  Poor  Doctoi"! — and  to  think  tliia 
fellow,  Vv'ith  his  simple  air — Ha,  ha  ! — 1  see  now  tlie  rea- 
son of  liis  flight,  when  I  told  him  who  I  was.  He  thought 
I  should  tell  his  uncle.  Ha,  ha,  ha  !  'Gad,  I've  a  great 
mind  to  do  so,  too — 'twould  be  a  glorious  bit  of  mischief — 
for  whilst  the  two  dogs  were  quarrelling,  the  third  might 
run  off  with  the  bone.  Ha,  ha,  ha !  \Alond.\  Go,  my  young 
friend,  to  your  uncle's  ajoartments,  and  order  some  break- 
fast for  yourself  I  have  a  word  to  say  to  the  Doctor. 
Rely  on  my  protection. 

P»'.  Yes,  Monseigneur.  \AHule?\  INIy  uncle's  mistress  ! 
Who  can  he  take  her  to  be  %  Perhaps  it  wasn't  the  Du- 
chess, after  all  !  Ha!  \Sccs  a  corner  (if  the  handhercliicf, 
which  (he  Doctor  has  hurricdli/  rcjjfaced,  hanging  out  of  his 
pochct.]  I  will  have  my  handkerchief,  though — come  what 
may  of  it. 

[  Whisks  if,  unfelt  hy  Doctor,  out  of  his  2>ockcf,  and  exit. 

Dr.  D.  [Aside.]  To  think  of  harbouring  that  viper  in  his 
bosom — and  to  make  me  an  accessory. 

Duke.  [Aside.]  Yes,  yes,  there's  no  resisting  it.  I  must 
give  the  Doctor  a  hint — in  all  confidence — that  will  set 
them  both  by  the  ears  !  It  is  the  only  way  to  recover  my 
lost  Daphne.  [Aloud.]  Doctor  !  Come  hither,  Doctor  ! — 
My  dear  Doctor — do  you  know,  if  I  were  in  your  situa- 
tion, I  should  feel  rather  uneasy. 

Dr.  D.  [Aside.]  He  little  dreams  of  his  own.  [Aloud.] 
May  I  ask  your  Royal  Highness,  on  what  account? 

Duke.  You  think  yourself,  probably,  very  secure  in  the 
affections  of  a  ceitain  lady. 

Dr.  D.  A  certain  lady  !  [Aside.^  Mercy  on  me  !  has  he 
noticed  my  attentions  to  Ma'lle  Duval  I  [Aloud.]  Monseig- 
iieur,  you  surprise  me  —what  lady  ? 

Duke.  Oh,  you  act  surprise  remarkably  well.  Doctor  ; 
and  I  admit,  that  at  your  age,  and  with  your  grave  demean- 
our, persons  would  scarcely  suspect  that  you  wei'e  the  slave 
of  a  pair  of  large  dark  eyes. 

Dr.  D.  Large  dark  eyes  !  [ylivVZe.]  He  does  mean  Ma'lle 
Duval. 

Duke.  But  I  am  awai'e  of  your  passion.  Doctor,  and 
admit  the  lady's  fascinations  are  a  sufficient  excuse  for  it. 

Dr.  D.  Monseigneur ;  1  will  not  deny,  as  your  Royal 
Highness  has  condescended  to  mention  the  subject,  that 


40  ■  THE    JOLLIES    OF    A    NIGHT.  [Act  II. 

I  do  greatly  admire  tlie  lady  in  question,  and  that  I  have 
reason  to  believe  t^he  is  not  displeased  at  my  attentions. 

Duke.  Nor  at  those  of  others — 

Vr.  D.  Of  others  !  Monseigneur,  I  have  never  remark- 
ed— T  have  never  observed — 

Duke.  Oh,  my  dear  Doctor  !  Let  me  tell  you,  as  a  man 
of  the  world — 

AIR.— Duke. 

Experience  has  clearly  attested, 

\Vlien  matters  take  this  sort  of  turn, 
The  person  who's  most  interested. 

Is  always  the  last  one  to  learn — 
'Gainst  otliers,  while  lie  espies  treasoT., 

And  wondei-g  Iheir  eyes  are  so  dim, 
What  has  been  the  town-talk  of  a  season, 

Like  a  thunder-clap  bnrsts  upon  him  ! 

Dr.  D.  \Asi(Jc.]  That's  excellent  for  him  at  the  present 
moment.  \Al(jiid.]  Monseigneur,  [  cannot  doubt  the  gene- 
ral truth  of  your  Royal  Highness's  remark,  but  1  am  con- 
vinced, that  in  this  j)articular  instance — 

Duke.  My  good  sir.  But  mind — this  is  in  perfect  con- 
fidence, and  only  to  put  you  on  your  guard.  Your  nephew. 
Monsieur  Pierre  Palliot,  is  a  young  man,  too  young  a  man 
to  trust  near  a  pretty  woman,  when — 

Dr.  D.  My  nephew  !  my  nephew  !  Good  gracious, 
Monseigneur; — you  don't  mean  to  say — \Aside.\  And  he 
puts  him  in  my  apartments  himself, 

Duke.  I  mean  to  say,  that  he  has  contrived  to  find  favor 
in  the  sight  of  your  fair  enchantress. 

Dr.  D.  [Aside.]   The  villain — the  licentious  villain  ! 

Duke.  She  visits  him,  man,  at  his  lodgings  in  the  Rue 
de  L'Echelle — sups  with  him  there  ! 

Dr.  D.  Pardon  me,  Monseigneur  ;  but  that  is  impossi- 
ble. She  could  not  return  to  the  palace  without  being 
observed. 

Duke.  [Aside.]  To  tlie  Palace  !  Oh,  oh  !  It  is  some 
lady  of  rank,  then,  as  the  young  rascal  asserted  ;  and  the 
locket  which  I  found  as  I  entered  the  private  door,  must 
belong  to  her  !  Ay,  now  I  have  a  clue  ;  but  I  must  not 
appear  ignorant  of  who  she  really  is.  [Aloud.^  My  good 
sir,  you  seem  to  forget — but  no  matter ;  so  let  us  change 
the  conversation. 


ScK>-K  t.l  Tin:    FOLI.IKS    CF    A    MGHT.  41 

[At  t'lis  nwmo.f,  the  sin((]J  door,   \..,  opci-t,   and  I\li'/';: 
Dural  enters,  hut  stops  short,  on  jurrciiinL]'  the  iJuke 
icith  ihe  Doctor. 
Tell  me — as  1  know  you  are  a  rnan  of  fastc — what  tliiiik 
you  of"  tliis  locket, 

\Producing  the  one  irorn  hij   thie  Duchess   in   the  First 

Act,  and  sJiOv:iiiir  jt.  to  the  Doctor. 

jShi'JIe  D.  [Aside.\   In  his  hands  !      What's  to  be  done'? 

Dr.  D.  \  Inn  ore  nth/.]  It  is  a  niogt  elegant  ornament,  Moti- 

seigneur.      The  Diichc.-s  did  mo  tlie  lifmour  to  .show  it  me 

yesterday. 

Di/he.  The  Duchess  !      Show  you  tliis  ? 
J\Ia'l/eD.  Unfortunate — 

[Strires  to  attract  his  attention,  hi/  /nahinff  s's^^ns  to  him 
iriih  Iter  ha)idLcrchi(J'. 

Dr.  D.  [Nut  j}er(:ei ring  her.\  Yes,  Monseigneur ;  and 
tlie  poitrait  contained  in  it,  which  I  have  no  dtjubt  your 
lioyal  Highness  thinks  very  striking.  Iti  my  humble  o[)i- 
nion,  it  is  tlic  best  tbat  has  been  taken  of  the  Duclicss,  and 
the  ingenious  manner  in  which  it  is  displayed,  by  pi'essing 
the  little  ruby  on  the  rim — [The  Duhe  presses  it,  and  the 
lochet  oj>cns.]  Very  like — perfectly  speaking. 

[Loolcing  over  Diihc's  shoulder. 
Mu'l/c  D.  [Aside.]  We  are  lost ! 
Dule.  [Furioushj.]  Dr.  Druggendraft  ! 

[As  the  Duhe  tarns  sudden///,  JMa'l/e  Duval  glides  he- 
hrind  a  pedestal,  dropping  licr  handherrlii<f. 
Dr.  D.  Monseigneur ! 

Duhe.  Will  you  repeat  to  me  that  this  locket  belonged 
to  the  Duchess  ? 

Dr.  D.  Till  she  presented  it  to  your  Royal  Highness  this 
morning. 

Duhe.  'Tis  false  ! 
Dr.  D.  Monseigneur  ! 
Duhe.  I  say,  tliou  best! 

Dr.  D.  If  your  Iioyal  Higbness  says  so,  of  course  1  do  ; 
but  the  supposition  was  natural,  as  the  Duchess  told  me 
she  meant  it  for  a  present,  and  of  course  I  imagined  it 
must  be  for  Monseigneur. 

Dul:e.  [Asidc?!^  Fiends  and  fuiies  !  Whilst  I  have  been, 
as  I  thought,  amusing  myself  with  a  ridiculous  adventuic, 
has  the  Duchess — Confusion!  [ Aloud. \  JInvkye.  Doctor, 
fto-^-t  kno\:-  -wheie  lliis  locket  vras  foimd  ? 


42  THE    FOM.IKS    OF    A    NKiilT.  [Act  II. 

Dr.  D.  Found  !  [Aside.]  Oh,  murder  !  Should  It  be  the 
trinket  that — 

Duke.  Dost  know  where  ?  In  the  street — on  the  very 
threshold  of  the  private  entrance  to  the  Palace  ! 

Dr.  D.  [Aside.]  I've  made  a  dreatlful  blunder  !  We  are 
all  ruined  now  ! 

Diilic.  Dost  know  at  what  hour  1  Six  in  the  morning  ! 
Dost  know  by  whom  1     By  me.  Doctor — by  me! 

Dr.  D.  [Aside.\   I  wish  1  was  in  Kiim  Tartary ! 

Duke.  You  have  asserted  that  the  Duchess  showed  this 
locket  to  you,  yesterday.  Has  it  been  out  of  her  posses- 
sion 1 

Dr.  D.  I  should  say,  decidedly.  [Aside.]  As  it  is  now  in 
his  own. 

Duke.  Or  was  the  Duchess  absent  from  the  Palace  last 
night,  and  the  story  of  her  indisposition  trumped  up  to 
deceive  me  1     Sj^eak  !  no  hesitation. 

Dr.  D.  Monseigneur,  as  I  hope  to  live,  I  did  not  leave 
her  Royal  Highness  till  past  twelve  o'clock  ;  and  you 
yourself  heard  her  ring  her  bell  this  morning. 

Duke.  That  proves  nothing ;  she  might  have  gone  out 
after  you  had  left  her,  and  whilst  you  were  amusing  your- 
self at  the  Masquerade,  Doctor  ! 

MalleD.  [Aside.]  Ha! 

Dr.  D.  [Aside]  At  the  Masquerade !  [Aloud.]  Oh, 
Monseigneur ! 

Duke.  You  were  recognized,  sir — it  is  useless  to  deny 
it — in  company  with  two  females !  Was  that  a  respecta- 
ble exhibition  for  the  Physician  to  the  Duchess  de  Char- 
tres  ?  And  if  my  wife  was  indisposed,  how  dared  you 
neglect  your  duty  1 

Dr.  D.  Monseigneur,  on  my  knees  ! 

Duke.  Stand  up,  sir,  and  hear  me.  I  will  look  over  this 
conduct,  on  one  condition  only: — that  you  reveal  to  me, 
without  reservation,  any  suspicions  that  you  may  entertain 
respecting  the  Duchess. 

Dr.  D.  [Aside.]  Then  he  does  not  suspect,  even  now  ! 
What  shall  I  say  1  Ah  !  it  will  be  a  good  way  to  revenge 
myself  on  that  young  villain  !  [Aloud.]  If  your  Royal  High- 
ness insists — 

Duke.  Ah  !  then  you  do  know  something  ]  Speak  !  is 
there  some  intrigue  on  foot  1     Some  favoured  lover  ? 


ScPNE  I.]  THE    FOLLIES    OF    A    NIGHT.  43 

Dr.  D.  Oh,  no,  Monseigneux- ;  not  an  intrigue — no  fa- 
voured lover — no  derogation,  on  the  part  of  her  Royal 
Highness — merely  a — a — 

Dulc.  Merely  a  what,  sir  1      Speak  !  speak  ! 

Dr.  D.  Merely  a  young  coxcomb,  who — 

Duke.  Ah! 

Dr.  D.  Who,  presuming  on  an  accident  of  the  most  tri- 
vial description,  imagines  himself  distinguished  by  her 
Royal  Highness. 

Duke.  You  know  him  1 

Dr.  D.  I  think  I  could  find  out. 

Duke.  He  shall  to  the  Bastile,  whoever  he  is  ! 

Dr.  D.  [Asidc.\  Excellent — tlie  very  thing  !  [Aloud.]  If 
your  Royal  Highness  will  give  me  the  order,  I  pledge  my- 
self it  shall  be  executed  faithfully. 

Duke.  You  shall  have  it  instantly.  And  this  locket  1 
You  know  not  how  it  was  lost — nor  if  the  Duchess  left  the 
Palace  last  night  1 

Dr.  D.  I  am  profoundly  ignorant  of  all  that  passed  af- 
ter I  parted  with  her  Royal  Highness.  [Aside.]  That's  the 
fact ! 

Duke.  Enough!  If  I  detect  you  in  a  falsehood,  trem- 
ble !  I  go  for  the  "  Lettre  de  cachet,"  and  hold  you  re- 
sponsible for  the  discovery  and  incarceration  of  the  offen- 
der.    Take  notice  ! — To  the  Bastile — either  he  or  thou  ! 

BVO.—DvKE.—C  Les  JUletles  de  Si.  Cloud.'') 

He  or  thou  !  he  or  thou  ! 
One  shall  rue  the  day,  I  vow  ! 
So  take  warning.  Doctor,  uow^ ! 
He  or  thou !  he  or  thou  ! 

Dr-  Druggendraft. 

He  or  me  !  he  or  me  ! 
To  decide.  tJien,  I  am  free! 
There's  no  doubt  which  it  will  be, 
Since  the  choice  is  left  to  me ! 

[Exit  Duke.     Md'Ue  Duval,  ivlio  has  been  watcJiing  for 

her   opporlanitij,  passes  qnickli/  into   the  Duchesses 

apartment,  u.,  unperceived  by  the  Doctor,  andlcaving 

her  handkerchief  vnnoticcd  where  it  fell. 

Dr.  D.  No,  no,  your  fate  is  scaled.  Master  Pierre  Pal- 

liot.     I  warned  you   what  would  happen ;  and  after  the 


44  THE    FOLLIES    OF    A    NIGHT.  [Act  II. 

Story  tl-.e  Duke  has  told  me  alxmt  yi'ti  and  Ma'lle  Duval! 
wlu'tlier  true  or  not,  it  will  be  the  safe>t  plan  for  all  par- 
tiorf — it's  a  master-stroke  of  policy — 1  shall  be  revenged 
upon  my  nephew,  without  committing  the  Duchess  ;  and 
as  to  her  injunctions  about  him,  she  is  too  much  in  my 
power  to  resent  such  a  breach  of  them.  Besides,  it  is  the 
Duke's  doing,  not  mine,  and  she  will  not  ventuie  to  tax 
him  on  the  subject.  And  I  have  hei-e  also,  in  my  pocket, 
a  little  piece  of  evidence — [Puts  his  hand  into  his  pocket, 
end  7ni.\scs  his  handker<:hief.\  Eh,  why,  where — what  did  I 
do  with  the  handkerchief?  I  certainly  put  it  in  my  pock- 
et— I  must  have — ha !  [Seeijig  Jllalle  I).'s.]  There  it  is  ! 
My  stars,  if  the  Duke  had  seen  it! 

[Picks  it  vp,  and  thrusts  it  into  his  losom  hastily. 

Enter  Piekke,  c. 

Pic.  Ah,  my  dear  uncle,  I  could  wait  no  longer — I  am 
dying  to  express  to  you  my  gratitude,  my  delight.  I  have 
been  so  served — so  feasted — such  attentions— such  a  break- 
fast— 

Dr.  D.  [Aside]  1  must  lose  no  time.  [Aloud.]  I  was  just 
coming  to  you.     Go  and  get  a  coach. 

Pic.  A  coach  ! 

Dr.  D.   Vcs,  a  hackney  coach,  directly. 

Pic.  It  seems  decreed,  that  everybody  should  send  me 
for  a  coach  !      Wiiat  for  ? 

Dr.  D.  You  must  leave  the  Palace  as  soon  as  possible. 

Pie.  Leave  the  Palace — why,  I  thought — 

Dr.  D.  No  words,  you  are  a  ruined  man  ! 

Pie.   Ruined  ? 

Dr.  D.  You  or  I,  one  or  the  other — the  Duke  has  said 
eo. 

Pie.  Ah,  really  ! — Is  there  a  choice  ?  Oh,  then,  my 
dear  uncle,  as  you  never  did  anything  before  for  me,  here's 
the  time  to  sho^v  your  affection  !  Now  liere  is  really  an 
opportunity — 

Dr.  D.  Silence — T  am  about  to  send  you  where  you  will 
be  taken  care  of,  and  where  it  will  take  some  little  trouble 
to  get  at  you  ! 

Pie.  Indeed!  \Vell,  that  is  kind  of  you,  too;  and  if 
you  can't  do  anything  more — 

Dr.  D.  Silence!     Here,   Antoine  !  [To  a   Servant  pas- 


Scene  I.] 


THE    FOLLIES    OF    A    .MGHT.  45 


s/nff.\  Take  this  young  man — [Aside  to  &V/".]  Tell  Duroc 
to  put  him  in  a  coach,  and  drive  to  the  Bastile  with  him, 
by  the  Duke's  order,  as  fast  as  possible.  The  "  Lettre 
da  cachet"  shall  be  sent  after  him — we  needn't  wait  for 
that. 

Pic.  Oh,  my  dear  uncle,  if  I  can  ever  return  the  obli- 
gation ! 

Dr.  D.  Don't  mention  it — follow  that  person  directly. 

Fie.  I  must  embrace  you — 

Dr.  D.  No,  no,  theie's  not  an  instant  to  be  lost !   Go,  go! 

[  Tnjing  to  fush  him  out. 

Enter  Duchess  a7ul  Ma'lle  Duval,  r. 

Ducli.  "  Go,  go  !"      Where  is  he  going  to  ] 

Dr.  D.  The  Duchess  ! 

Pie.  (l.c.)  The  Duchess!  [Aside.]  It  was  the  Duchess, 
then  ! 

Duck.  I  asked  you,  Doctor,  whither  you  were  sending 
that  young  gentleman  1 

Dr.  D.  [Aftide  to  Iter.]  Madam,  I  assure  you,  it  was 
much  against  my  will,  but  his  Royal  Highness  has  per- 
emptorily ordered  me — 

Duck.  Silence,  sir.  [Aside  to  Ma'lle  Duval.]  We  were 
just  in  time,  it  seems.  [Aloud  to  Pierre.]  Are  you  not 
Monsieur  Pierre  Palliot,  the  nephew  of  Doctor  Druggen- 
draft  1 

Pie.  Yes,  madam,  and  who  had  the  honour  to — 

Dnch.  I  am  aware  of  the  service  you  have  rendered  to 
one  for  whom  I  have  a  great  regard,  and  you  shall  not  go 
unrewarded.  Ma'lle  Duval,  conduct  your  young  friend 
into  the  Crimson  Saloon,  and  return  as  I  directed  you. 

Dr.  D.  lV  Pie.  [Aside.]   Her  young  friend  ! 

3Ia'IJe  D.   [7b  Pierre.]    Will  you  follow  me,  sir? 

Pie.  With  the  greatest  pleasure,  mademoiselle.  [Aside] 
Her  young  friend  !  I'm  that  lovely  creature's  young  friend, 
and  didn't  know  it !  And  my  uncle  to  say  I  was  ruined  ! 
Pooh,  pooh  !  Ruined !  [Aloud.]  Mademoiselle,  permit 
me — [Tnking  her  hand.]  Madam,  [To  the  Duchess,]  your 
Royal  Highness's  most  devoted  servant !     Uncle,  ahem  ! 

AIR. — ("  Un  bean  jour  en  promenant.") 

Pierre.   \^Aside  to  Doctor.} 

I  have  neither  wit  nor  grace 
At  court  to  make  my  way,  sir ; 


46  THE    FOLLIES    OF    A    MGHT.  [Act  II. 

I  had  better  book  my  place, 

And  go  back  to  Beauvais,  sir  ! 
So  at  least  you  said  last  night, 
Aud  have  thought  it,  too,  you  might — 
Wliat  d'ye  think  to-day,  sir  ? 
What  d'ye  think  to-day  ? 

[Exit  with  Ma' He  Duval,  r.  c. 

Dr.  D.  [Aside]  Impertinent  puppy  !  Before  my  face  ! 
Her  ynun<T  friend,  too  !  Then  tlie  Duke  was  right,  and 
the  Duchess  knows  it ;  and  actually  sanctions — I'm  bewil- 
dered ! 

Duc/i.  (l.)  What  is  the  matter,  Doctor? — you  look  agi- 
tated. 

Dr.  D.  Agitated  !  No  wonder,  madam  !  And  you  will 
be  agitated,  too,  when  I  tell  you  that  the  Duke  has  found 
a  locket,  which — 

Duel).  I  know  it. 

Dr.  D.  You  know  it  1  [Aside.]  She  says  she  knows  it, 
as  coolly  as  if — [Aloud.]  Madam,  do  you  know  also  that 
the  Duke  is  in  the  most  fearful  state  of  exasperation — that 
he  suspects — that  he  has  interrogated  me — and  that  from 
one  moment  to  the  other,  I  stand  in  danger  of  falling  a 
sacrifice  to  my  devotion  to  your  Royal  Highness.' 

Dark.  I  am  aware,  Doctor,  of  the  exact  point  to  which 
your  devotion  is  capable  of  extending  ;  and  that  it  has 
been  drawn  out  to  the  utmost  limits  on  the  present  occa- 
sion, by  the  uncertainty  which  you  are  in,  as  to  which 
course  will  most  affect  your  own  interest.  I  grant  that 
your  position  is  an  awkward  one,  and  as  I  am  conscious 
that  I  have  been  partly  the  cause  of  placing  you  in  it,  I 
am  willing  to  overlook  your  conduct  respecting  your  ne- 
phew and  myself,  on  condition  that  you  give  him  ten 
thousand  livres  towards  settling  him  in  Paris,  as  he  de- 
sires. 

Dr.  D.  Ten  thousand  livres  !  I  give  him — [Aloud.] — 
Madam,  are  you  aware  that  the  Duke  knows  I  was  at  the 
Masquerade,  with  two  ladies,  and  that  he  may  compel  me 
to  inform  him  who  was  the  one  in  the  pink  domino  % 

Duch.  You  are  at  liberty  to  do  so.  Doctor. 

Dr.  D.  I  am  at  liberty — [Aside.]   I'm  paralyzed  ! 

Duch.  I  intend  telling  him  myself — but  as  you  appear 
to  insinuate  a  threat,  let  me  caution  you,  in  return,  not  to 
hesitate  an  instant  as  to  the  ten  thousand  livres,  or  you  may 


ScETTE  I.]  THE    FOLLIES    OF    A    NIGHT.  47 

find  that  the  Duchess  de  Chaitres  CJin  procui'e  "Lettres  de 
Cachets"  as  well  as  the  Duke.  Apropos,  I  have  one  in 
my  pocket,  which — 

Dr.D.  Madam,  I— 

Duch.  I  am  sure  you  will  see  the  propriety  of  acting  as 
I  advise  you.  Here  comes  the  Duke — will  you  tell  him 
of  the  pink  domino,  or  shall  1  ] 

Dr.  I).  I  am  too  happy  to  leave  the  matter  entirely  in 
the  hands  of  your  Royal  Highness. 

E?ile)-  Duke,  u-il7i  "  Lettre  de  Cacliet,"  k.  c. 

Duhe.  Here  is  the  order.  [Aside.]  Ha  !  the  Duchess  ! 
\To  Doctor,  iclio  is  goi??g.]   Stay  where  you  are. 

Duch.  My  dear  Philip,  1  wondered  what  had  become  of 
you! 

DuJic.  INIadam,  I  was  at  this  moment  on  the  point  of 
seeking  you. 

Duch.  I  began  to  fear  that  your  hasty  journey  from 
Compeigne  had  fatigued  you  more  than  you  were  willing 
to  admit,  and  that  you  might  jierhaps  pay  too  dearly  for 
an  act  of  gallantry  towards  me,  of  which,  I  assure  you  I 
am  deeply  sensible. 

Dulce.  \Aside.\  The  traitress  !  and  at  the  same  time — 
[Aloud.]  ^ladani,  it  is  with  much  regret  that  I  am  com- 
pelled to  doubt  the  sincerity  of  that  acknowledgment ! 

Duch.  Oh,  surely  you  would  not  do  me  so  much  injus- 
tice !  what,  not  appreciate  such  a  proof  of  your  affection  as 
riding  all  night — f>r  you  must  have  done  so,  mustn't  you, 
to  reach  Paris  by  five  or  six  in  the  morning,  from  Com- 
peigne 1  Apropos  of  Compeigne — does  the  King  intend 
visiting  the  camp  shortly  1 

Duke.  [Aside]  Her  coolness  petrifies  me !  [AJoud.]  I 
know  not  whether  this  indifference  is  real  or  affected,  but 
there  is  a  circumstance  to  which  I  must  call  your  serious 
attention  ;  and  which,  as  it  aflects  the  honour  of  ray  name 
and  your  own  reputation,  I  must  insist  upon  having  a  full 
and  satisfactory  explanation  of — 

DucJi.  Oh,  lud !  I  vow,  you  quite  frighten  me  !  What 
is  it,  in  the  name  of  all  that's  terrible  ? 

Duke.  Madam  !  cease  this  ill-becoming  levity.  Behold 
this  locket,  madam  !  [Producing  it.]  The  sight  of  it  should 
turn  you  into  stone  ! 


48  THt:  rcLLits  of  a  mght.  [Act  ii. 

Ducli.  Well,  that  is  the  rudest  thing  I  ever  heard  in  my 
life,  considering  that  it  contains  my  own  portrait !  Do  you 
mean  to  say  I  am  a  downright  Gorgon — a  Medusa? — Oh, 
fie,  -Monseigneur !      Is  this  the  gallant  Duke  de  Cliartres! 

Duke.  Impudence  unparalleled  !  Vou  recognize  it — 
you  acknowledge  your  acquaintance  with  it,  and  do  not 
sink  to  the  earth  at  beholding  it  in  my  hands  ! 

Dmh,  Sink  to  the  earth!  Why,  my  dear  Duke,  what 
should  have  such  an  extraordinary  effect  upon  me — unless, 
indeed — Oh,  good  gracious !  you  don't  mean  to  say  she 
gave  it  to  you  ] 

Duke.  She  ! 

Dr.D.  \Ande\   She! 

Duck.  You  wouldn't  surely  display  to  me  a  proof  of  her 
shame  and  your  perfidy  !  Oh,  no — no,  Monseigneur,  I 
will  not  wrong  either  Ma'lle  Duval  or  yourself  by  the 
thought,  for  one  moment ! 

Dr.D.  \Aside.\   Ma'lle  Duval! 

Duke.  Ma'lle  Duval !  What  folly  is  this  ]  Madam,  I 
found  this  locket,  which  contains  your  portrait,  and  which 
was  yesterday  your  property — I  found  it  this  morning  in 
the  street,  at  the  threshold  of  the  private  entrance  to  the 
Palace,  of  which  only  you  and  1  have  a  key. 

Duck.  Bless  me  ! — Did  you,  indeed  1 

Duke.  I  did,  madam  !  and  I  demand  to  know  by  what 
possible  accident  it  could  be  there  1 

Duck.  Nay — you  must  ask  Ma'lle  Duval — 

Duke  4-  Dr.  D.  Ma'lle  Duval  again  ! 

[Ill  this  and  all  the  stihsequent  echoes,  the  Doctor's  is  al- 
ways aside. 

Duch.  Certainly:  for  either  she  dropped  it  there  herself. 
or  somebody  must  have  stolen  it^from  her  ;  at  any  rate,  it 
was  lucky  you  found  it,  for  I  am  sure  the  loss  of  her  locket 
would  have  greatly  distressed  her. 

Duke  S^Dr.  D.  Of  her  locket ! 

Duck.  Yes — her  locket — my  gift — which  she  received 
with  so  much  delight  and  gratitude  only  last  evening. 

Duke.  Your  gift — last  evening,  to  Ma'lle  Duval  ] 

Duck.  What's  the  matter  with  the  man  ]  Is  there  any- 
thing so  very  extraordinary  in  my  having  made  lier  such 
a  present  1 — are  not  such  things  done  every  day  1 — didn't 
you  give  a  snuff-box  with  your  portx-ait  in  it  to  your  Secre- 


Scf.keI.J  thk  folliks  of  a  night  49 

tary — and  didn't  the  King— and  your  father   thp  Duke  of 
Orleans — 

Duke.  Madam — madam  ! — of  coui'se,  I  know — \Asidc}^ 
Confusion  !  have  I  made  a  fool  of  myself* by  my  suspi- 
cions, or  is  this  some  subterfuge  ?  \Alomi,\  Where  is  Ma'lle 
Duval  ] 

Duck.  In  the  Crimson  Saloon. 

Duke.   I  must  see  her — instantly — 

Duck.  I  fear  you  will  interrupt  a  tender  interview. 

Duke  Sf  Dr.  D.  A  tender  interview  ! 

Duch.  There  is  a  young  gentleman — a  nephew  of  Dr. 
Druggendraft — who  has  been  deeply  smitten  by  her. 

Dr.  D.  [Aside.]   The  serpent — the  cockatrice  ! 

Duke.  The  young  man  who  was  here  just  now? 

Duch.  No  doubt — he  was  here  just  now — do  you  know 
him  1 

Duke.  Know  him? — I — I  saw  him  here.  [/l*/(Zc.J  The 
devil's  in  the  fellow  ! — is  this  another,  or — 

Duch.  Ah  !  now  I  remember — he  told  me  you  had  seen 
him,  and  promised  him  your  protection  !  How  very  kind 
of  you — wasn't  it.  Doctor  1 

Dr.  D.   Too  kind  !    a  great  deal  too  kind  ! 

Duke.  [Asi(h'.\  What  does  all  this  mean  !  \ Aloud  to 
Doctor.]  Now — before  the  Duchess — vvitliout  equivocation, 
declare  your  reasons  for  presuming  that  some  one  had 
dared  to  entertain  certain  views  with  regard  to  Her  Royal 
Highness ! 

Duch.  What! — Did  the  Doctor  insinuate oh,  Doc- 
tor, Doctor  !      I'm  ashamed  of  you! 

Dr.  D.  Madam,  I  assiiie  you,  I  never  for  one  moment 
imagined — it  was  only — as  I  told  the  Duke — the  presump- 
tion of  a  young  madman,  who,  because  your  Royal  High- 
ness happened  to  drop  your  handkerchief  from  your  car- 
riage window  at  the  moment  he  was  passing — 

Duke.   How  !  her  handkerchief! 

Duch.  [Aside.]  Is  it  possible  ! — -UnfortuTiate  ! — I  did 
lose  a  handkerchief — he  will  never  believe  it  was  by  ac- 
cident— 

Duke.  [Aside.]  She  is  confused  !  [  To  Doctor.]  Has  he 
tke  handkerchief  in  his  possession  ? 

Dr.  D.  No,  Monseigneur. 

Duke  Sf  Duch.  [  With  different  expression.]  Ha ! 
E 


50  TIIK    1C)LI.1I,^    OK    A    NHjiiT. 


[Act  11 


Dr.  D.  It  irt  in  niiiit — 1  took  it  from  liim,  that  lie  might 
not  comproini:,e  lier  lAoyal  Highness  h\  any  vain  display 
of  it. 

Duck.   [yli/Vr.j    No  hope  ! 

Duhc.  You  t()f)k  it  from  him — then  you  do'  know  whc 
he  isl 

T)r.  D.  I  regret  to  acknowledge — he  is  my  nephew 
Pierre  Palliot. 

Duhc  ^-  Duvli.  Your  nephew  ! 

Dr.D.  \As'i(}e.\    I  have  him  now! 

Duke.  [Asiilc]  Confound  the  rascal !  is  he  making  love 
to  the  whole  Court  !  [Aloud  to  Doctor]  Produce  the  hand- 
kerchief I 

Dr.D.  It  is  here.  \Dra>cing  tJie  liandkcrcldef from  his 
howin,  and  giving  it  to  DuJce. 

Duhc.  Now,  madam  !  perhaps  you  will  tell  me  it  was 
by  accident  this  kerchief  fell  from  your  coach  window  ? 

Duch.  [Aside,  haring  examined  it.\  Oh,  Fortune  !  \Aloud 
and  coulli/.]  How  should  I  know  ! — this  handkerchief  be- 
longs to  Ma'lle  Duval. 

Duke  <^-  Dr.  D.  Ma'lle  Duval ! 

Duch.  At  least,  those  arc  her  initials, 

[Handing  it  hack  to  Duke. 

Duke.  Why,  Doctor! 

Dr.D.  Monseigncur  ]  [Aside.]  I  t*s  witchcraft !  I  could 
take  my  oath  I  saw  her  own  cypher  and  crest ! 

Duke.  Dr.  Druggendraft — did  your  nephew  assert  that 
this  kerchief  was  Hung  to  him  by  the  Duchess  1 — Remem- 
ber !  he  is  here,  and  can  be  confronted  with  you. 

Dr.D.  No,  Monseigneur!  I  acknowledge  that  it  was 
only  my  suspicion,  in  consequence  of — because  I — [Aside.] 
Oh,  dear!  <>h,  dear!  he  wouldn't  believe  me,  if  I  swore 
it! 

Duke.  And  you  have  dared — 

Duck.  Hold,  hold,  Monseigneur — I  must  intercede  for 
the  Doctor,  whose  head  is  not  quite  clear,  perhaps,  from 
fear  of  your  displeasure  on  another  and  more  serious 
charge — but  one  for  which  I  am  alone  accountable — 

Dr.  D.  [Aside.]  Eh  ! — she  won't  tell  him,  surely  ! 

Duke.  What  other  1 — speak,  Madam,  speak  !  ^ 

Duch.  My  dear  Philip,  I  was  guilty  last  night  of  a  very 
great  piece  of  imprudence,  for  which  I   have  been  so  se- 


ScEKF.  I.J  Tilt:    FOLLIKS    OF    A    MUHT.  51 

verely  punished,  that  I  Jo  not  think  you  will  add  to  my 
self-reproaches  any  of  your  own. 

Duke.  Last  niglit ! 

Dr,  D.  \  Aside.]  She  will  tell  him  ! 

Duck.  Yes :  I  was  impelled  by  an  unconquerable,  but 
foolish  curiosity,  to  take  a  peep  at  the  Masquerade. 

Duke.  The  Masquerade  ! 

Dr.  D.  [Aside.]  She  has  told  him  ! 

Ducli.  Knowing  that  I  could  pass  fi"om  my  own  apart- 
ments through  a  corridor  to  that  part  of  the  Palace  in 
which  the  Theatre  is  situated,  I  oi'dei-ed  Ma'Ue  Duval  to 
procure  for  me  a  pink  domino. 

Duke.  \Asidc?^   A  pink  domino  ! 

DurJi.  And  for  herself  a  blue  one—  and,  despite  of  all 
remonstrances,  compelled  the  Doctor  to  accompany  us  to 
the  Ball. 

Duke.  \ Aside.]   My  head  spins  round  ! 

Duck.  We  had  scarcely  arrived,  however,  when  a  rude, 
impertinent  fellow,  who  was  probably  intoxicated,  created 
a  confusion,  during  which  he  succeeded  in  separating  us 
from  our  learned  protector  there,  when  Ma'lle  Duval,  be- 
lieving that  I  was  the  object  of  attack,  rapidly  exchanged 
dominos  with  me,  and,  suffering  herself  to  be  pursued, 
gave  me  an  opportunity  of  regaining  my  own  apartments 
discovered  and  unmolested  ! 

Duke.  Exchanged  dominos  ! 

Dr.  D.   Then  what  became  of  Ma'lle  Duval  % 

Ducli.  By  a  most  fortunate  accident,  she  found  a  pro- 
tector in  the  person  of  your^iephew.  Doctor,  who  carried 
her  in  a  fainting  state  to  her  own  lodgings. 

Dr.  D.  To  his  own  lodgings  !     Ma'lle  Duval  ! 

Duke.  \Aside.]  The  devil  ! — but  it  might  have  been 
worse.     ]f  the  Duchess — 

Duck.  And,  as  soon  as  she  was  sufficiently  recovered, 
procured  a  coach  for  her  to  return  in. 

Duke.  \Aside\  A  coach — she  hasn't  said  a  word  about 
the  supper. 

Dr.  D.  Returned  in  a  coach  ! — How  did  she  get  in  ? — 
I've  been  watching  all  night. 

DucJi.  By  the  private  door — with  my  key — which  you 
know  I  took  with  me  for  fear  of  accidents. 

Dr.  D.  \Aside.]   1  don't  believe  a  word  of  it ! 


52  THli    rOLLIES    OF    A    MGHT.  [Act  IL 

Duch.  Do  you  forgive  my  imprudence,  Philip  % 

D'de.  [Aside]  I  ought  to  say  something  very  moral, 
and  rather  severe.  \ Aloud.]  Madam — the  candour  of  your 
confession  could  alone  moderate  the  just  and  terrible  in- 
dignation with  which  I  should  otherwise  have  received  the 
tidings.  But  for  the  generous  devotion  of  Ma'lle  Duval— 
a  devotion  which  I  scajcely  know  how  to  recompense — 
your  reputation  might  have  been  tarnished,  and  my  name 
made  a  bye-word  in  the  Court  of  Versailles. 

Duch.  They  might — they  might — I  am  overpowered  by 
the  thought !  To  have  risked  my  fame — and  that  of  the 
most  faithful  an'd  devoted  of  husbands! — a  husband — who 
at  that  very  moment  was  enduring  fatigue — and  braving 
the  perils  of  darkness — in  order  to  press  me  to  his  bosom, 
a  few  hours  sooner. 

Dul-x.  Enough — enough — [  forgive  you — I  forgive  you. 
fyl5/(/c.j  I  must  see  Ma'lle  Duval  instantly,  and  purchase 
her  silence  at  any  price — 

Duch.  You  forgive  me  ?  Oh,  rapture  ! — too  generous 
man — your  anger  L  might  have  supported,  but  this  kind- 
ness xjuite  overwhelms  me  !  It  is  more  than  I  can  bear — 
Doctor,  I  feel  very  unwell — call  Ma'lle  Duval. 

Duhe.  1 — I'll  go  for  her. 

Duch.  [Catching  hold  frf  him.]  No,  no,  don't  leave  me, 
Philip — I  shall  faint— Ma'lle  Duval. 

Dr.  D.  Ma'lle  Duval  !— Ma'lle  Duval ! 

Enter  Ma'lle  Duval,  c. 

• 

Duch.  Oh,  Louise — \  have  told  the  Duke  all  my  folly, 
and  your  devotion — he  is  all  goodness  to  me,  and  gratitude 
to  you.  He  has  found  your  locket,  too — give  it  her  back, 
Monseigneur — and  here,  Louise,  in  addition,  take  this  ring. 

Duhc.  [Aside]   My  ring  !      Confusion  ! 

Duch.  'Tis  a  pretty  bauble,  is  it  not,  Philip  ?  It  was 
^ven  me  by  a  pi.or  gentleman  of  Normandy,  whose  father 
had  ruined  himself  in  the  king's  service,  and  then  received 
from  the  royal  munificence,  a  pension  upon  which  it  was 
impossible  to  exist. 

Duhc.  [Asidc\  Ah,  I  begin  to  see  through  all  this  ! — 
but  I  am  in  the  toils,  and  must  submit. 

Duch.  He  died,  poor  man — and  his  son  came  to  Paris  to 


Scene  I.] 


THI-:    FOLLIRIS    OF    A    NinilT.  53 


urge  the  claims  of  his  family — he  is  promised  a  regiment, 
and  if  you  would  kindly  use  your  influence  for  him — 

Duke.  \Aside.\  Madam,  madam  ! — I  see  you  know  all ! 
I  am  at  your  mercy. 

Duch.  [Aside  to  /^m.]  Pardon  for  pardon,  my  dear  Phi- 
lip— there  is  something  to  forgive  on  both  sides. 

Duke.  [Aside.]  It  was  you  whom  I  supped  with  in  the 
Rue  de  L'Echelle. 

Duch.  [Aside?[  But  the  Doctor  had  better  believe  it  was 
Ma'lle  Duval. 

Duke.  And  Monsieur  Pierre  Palliot — 

Duch.  I  never  saw  till  last  night — when  he  really  ren- 
dered me  a  service  which  should  not  pass  unrewarded. 
Listen  to  what  I  propose.  [T-f^^^V  ^«^^  aside,  r. 

Dr.  D.  Ma'lle  Duval? — May  I  believe  my  ears  ? — Were 
you  at  the  Rue  de  L'Echelle  last  night,  with  my  rascally 
nephew  % 

Ma'lle  D.  Hush,  Doctor — if  it  should  get  wind — what 
would  the  Court  say  1 

Dr.  D.  The  Court !  It  is  I,  Ma'lle  Duval,  who  am  most 
interested  in  this  matter — T,  whose  ardent  passion —  • 

Duke.  [To  Duchess.]  By  all  means — provided  Ma'lle 
Duval — 

Duch.  I  have  spoken  to  her — she  has  no  objection. 

Duke.  Then  it  has  my  sanction.  Ma'lle  Duval,  the  Du- 
chess has  informed  me  of  the  pretensions  of  Monsieur 
Pierre  Palliot. 

Dr.  D.  But,  may  it  please  your  Royal  Highness — it  is 
I  who  pretend  to  the  hand  of  Ma'lle  Duval — my  attach- 
ment, as  I  had  the  honour  to  inf(jrm  your  Highness — 

Duke.  Yours  ! — was  Ma'lle  Duval  the  lady,  then,  to 
whom  you  alluded  1 

Dr.  D.  Undoubtedly,   Monseigneur. 

Duke.  [Aside.]  Bravissimo  ! — I  shall  punish  the  Docto?-, 
at  all  events.  \ Aloud.]  How  is  this,  Ma'lle  Duval  1  do  you 
return  the  Doctor's  affection  1 

Ma'lle  D.  Certainly  not,  Monseigneur — 

Duke.  And  you  have  no  objection  to  the  nephew  1 

Ma'lle  D.  I  have  promised  Her  Royal  Highness — 

Duke.  My  dear  Doctor,  I'm  sorry  for  you — but  the  lady 
is  engaged,  you  see--Monsieur  Pierre  Palliot! — where  is 
Monsieur  Pierre  Palliot, 


5-1  TIIK    lOLLiCS    OF    A    MGHT. 


[Act  I 


Enter  Pi  Kit  RE,  r.  c. 

Pie.  At  your  Royal  Highness'  sei'vice. 

Duke.  Young  man — you  have  presumed  to  entertain  a 
•    passion  for  a  lady  attached  to  the  household  of  the  Duchess 
de  Chartres,  without  the  knowledge  and  permission  of  her 
Royal  Highness. 

Fie.  I! 

Duke.  \Asiile\  Silence,  or  the  Bastile!  \A!oud?^  Fortu- 
nately for  you,  your  passion  is  returned. 

Pic.  It  is ! 

Duke.  And  the  services  rendered  by  Ma'lle  Duval  to  the 
Duchess,  induce  us  not  only  to  look  over  your  imprudence, 
but  to  consent  to  your  union.     Take  your  wife,  sir. 

Pie.  ISIy  wjfe ! — oh  !  with  all  my  heart. 

Dr.  D.  But,  Monseigneur — 

Duke.  Silence  ! — or  the  Bastile — 

Duel).  And,  in  addition  to  the  ten  thousand  livres  which 
the  Doctor  has  promised  me  to  give  his  nephew — 

Pie.  Oh,  ray  dear  uncle  ! 

Dr.  D.  But,  madam,  really — 

Duch.  Obedience,  or  the  Bastile  !  \Aloii(i^  In  addition 
to  tliose  ten  tliousand  livres,  1  shall  give  the  bride  twenty 
thousand  from  my  own  purse,  as  an  acknowledgment  of 
her  services. 

Duke.  And  I  the  same  sum  to  the  bridegroom,  as  a  to- 
ken of  my  approbation !  \Aside  to  Mm?^  And  the  price  of 
his  discretion. 

P%c.  Oh,  Monseigneur !  oh.  Mademoiselle !  oh,  uncle  ! 
A  beautiful  wife  and  fifty  thousand  livres  !  I  shall  go  cra- 
zy with  joy  ! 

Dr.  D.  And  I  with  vexation  ! 

AIR. — Duchess. — From  "  Le  Philtre." 

Ye,  who  so  oft  have  deigned  to  cheer 

This  poor  heart,  with  fear  when  sinking, 
That  you  would  still  supiJort  me  here, 

Say,  have  I  been  too  bold  in  thinking  ? 
Let  it  not  your  bosoms  harden, 

Should  mine  not  have  judged  aright ; 

But  to  the  Follies  of  To-Night, 
Add  the  error  with  your  pardon, 

And  kindly  put  all  caros  to  flight. 

THE    END. 


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